OMG, MTA Annoyed at WFP's "WTF?" Posters

The MTA is not too happy about some recent satirical posters created by the Working Families Party. The posters mock the MTA's service posters with messages like "OMFG: $100/month fares, Services Slashed" and "Service Nightmare: All Day, Every Day." The Daily News reports that transit officials are calling them "offensive, improper or in bad taste," and are worried that riders may confuse them for real service alerts. Because everyone knows about the never ending construction on the WTF lines.

The Working Families Party was looking to spend almost $50,000 to run these posters in the subway for four weeks, but was rejected by MTA officials. But the WFP isn't giving up without a fight, and is considering a lawsuit that would challenge the MTA on a violation of free speech. WFP spokesman Bryan Collinsworth said, "We were really hoping to put some pressure on the mayor." However, Bloomberg spokesman Marc LaVorgna said that wouldn't do any good. "They should be directing their anger to the state, which has yet to come up with a successful funding source for the MTA." Seriously, "WTF Albany?!"

The WFP has mounted the first formal political response to the MTA bailout package stalemate, according to WNYC. Their website features an emergency petition to the MTA, asking Bloomberg to "stop huge fare hikes and service cuts."

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By Jaya Saxena in News on March 31, 2010 9:57 AM

Comments [rss]

Think2wice

These flyers are a riot. Parody/satire subway flyers have been around for a while, but this one is the most clever. Even if you see these from the corner of your eye, the rollsign spelling of WTF? and OMFG have folks doing a double-take, give a smirk, and upon closer inspection, some righteous indignation. Funny and rousing, a great combination.

imperialnetwork

Something to think about:

When the V is officially put out of service, and the M line replaces the V, you will now be able to transfer from the 1,2,3 trains to the FML at 14th Street (cue subway voice).

Jaya Saxena

Like

fixer

Pretty brilliant. Sorry, but when you suck like the MTA sucks, you should at least have the self-awareness to smile at innocent parody. Citizens who have to rely on this garbage system ALREADY think it's a joke -- the sign's good for a laugh to them, but is in no way altering or affecting their view of the MTA. The answer is not sign-banning. The answer is having a blessed weekend here and there where everything runs as it should.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

The WFP lost my vote after they endorsed Christine Quinn and Dominic Recchia, the 2 biggest crooks in the city council. Also what ever happed to the website that Bloomberg created to save the MTA. He took down the website after he stole the 3rd election. And yes he did STEAL it with all the millions through his foundation and through the city coffers for paid endorsement. so STFU you bloomberg worshippers. Kiss your King's butt.

Mordicai

WFP (who often gets my vote) should radically alter the colour scheme, so there was no possibility of confusing with legitimate service warnings. That said, go to town, guys.

verbal

Andy took down the do-it-yourself link to make these.

This is precious though; a bunch of communists giving a union a bunch of shit - only in Obamerica.

hotstepper

yes this is all about commies and obama. your grasp on reality is impeccable.

whitecastlerock

Bloomberg never had any intention of lifting a finger to combat the MTA. I haven't seen any installation of solar panels on rooftops in Brooklyn either. These posters point to the glaring evidence that Bloomberg is not living up to his promises. I seriously doubt Bill Thomson would have done anything either...

kiki

Sounds like the MTA Service Specialists should team up with the WFP; looks like they're probably going to receive a fancy, generic cease and desist from the MTA's in-house lawyers soon for copyright infringement. And the subways could use some good old-fashioned service improvements!

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/03/26/2009-03-26_mta_trains_its_anger_at_subway_web_site.html

hotstepper

bravo to the WFP. our beloved mayor made campaign promises for his Venezuela-style reelection and does nothing afterward when the MTA shit hits the fan. no real surprise there but i applaud them calling him out on it.

and passing the buck to Albany may assuage some residents, but you are the city's chief rep up there, so stop playing the blame-game and represent us you waffling little windbag.

Spirit of 76

Actually, Bloomberg has almost nothing to do with Albany. He runs the city. For state representation, we have State Senators and Assembly members. Blame the crooks like Sheldon Silver and Pedro Espada who aren't doing their jobs fighting for the city.

jackmurphy

I think the point is, if you paid attention during the sham election you would have heard Bloomy boasting that he would stand up to the MTA. Along w. the highly touted "5 boro economic plan" it was the centerpiece of his campaign. It's sad so many voters fell for it, since you are right about it being an Albany issue.

valeriob

I'm a big fan of these posters.

Helen Thomas knows the score

this blame the mta. blame the albany merry go round is bs.

remember ross perot and his charts? its 2010 and we still dont have charts to help explain our govt.

shouldnt we be able to see the $ amount of money given by the state over the last 10 years

the $ amount of money given by the city over the last 10 years

the $ amount of money spent by the mta over the last 10 years by category.

look at the raw data and make some educated inferences.

the govt will NEVER do this. better to keep people in the dark and just say some useful monetary figure or blame albany, or what not.

you know who should do this? journalists. you gothamist. I'm not even throwing down the gauntlet. I'm saying create this valuable content for nyc news and you'll become rich. go on. do it.

ohhleary

I know that's only for Student Metrocards, but it's a start, right?

Helen Thomas knows the score

thats a good one, evidot. thanks. that chart shows the city and state clearly cutting their share.

I just stumbled on this. apparently other people are thinking about this too.

http://sunlightlabs.com/contests/designforamerica/

and teddy, I'm not in the business of educating the public. thats what the meida is supposed to do...