Say Goodbye To Wooden Subway Benches?

Photo via Vitaliy P's flickr

Just one day after we took a look at the disappearing iconic wooden benches of New York City's streets, amNewYork warns that the benches underground may be on their way out as well. Sitting in the city will never be the same!

The paper reports that a redesign may be in the future, noting that NYC Transit officials are trying to decide if sleeker stainless steel seats should replace the standard wooden ones in the Second Avenue Subway and No. 7 extension stations. Allegedly, "designers are having a vigorous debate between the two models, with some viewing the steel as cold, while others blasting the wood as unhygienic." Expect prototypes to be installed at yet-to-be-disclosed stations in the coming months. Let's just hope stainless steel repels bed bugs. (If you spot one of the new prototypes, give us ring!)

As an interesting bit of history, amNY points out that the masterminds behind the subway wanted it to be a “very pleasing feature to the traveling public" and believe it "should be a work of art, in keeping with the era’s 'City Beautiful' movement." [via 2nd Ave. Sagas]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on September 2, 2010 4:13 PM

Comments [rss]

Ragingsemi

"...in keeping with the era’s 'City Beautiful' movement."

I'm sorry which movement is this? The one where they cover all the beautiful pre-war buildings with glass? Or the one where they decide to make Broadway look like a special needs playground?

Radtard

As long as they are still divided so fat people can't sit on them my black heart will be content.

ottoemezzo

I remember reading that the wooden benches in some stations were infested with...

yup....bedbugs! I must admit that I haven't sat on one of those benches since.

m015094

Who...the...fuck..cares???

ozik

I hope they aren't just replacing current benches with the metal ones, that would be stupid. There are lots and lots of stations that are benchless or bench deprived - but the new benches in those and then replace the wooden ones when they actually need it.

Mordicai

Better subways > nostalgia

ianmac47

The PATH replaced their benches with metal bench like devices. They are cleaner than the wood. The new benches have been in place and used for the last 18 months. It shouldn't be necessary for every transit agency to develop and test a device as simple as a bench. PATH has them and they work; stop wasting everyone's time and money.

SP's Ghost

+1

...and insulting our intelligence.

Jon

Hey here's a crazy idea - maybe instead of spending one cent on benches of any kind they could reduce fares or restore some of the services they've cut!