For the past nine years, the MTA has prohibited walking between subway cars (unless in the case of an emergency or at the direction of the MTA/NYPD/FDNY), with rule breakers being fined $75. But does this rule really need to be enforced while a train has been idling in the station for a long time?
Reader Aaron tells us that on Sunday night, he was headed to Brooklyn for some Paulie Gee's pizza. His journey began at the 8th Avenue L station in Manhattan, where he boarded a subway car nearest the stairs, thinking it might leave soon, as did many others who crowded onto the car. But, since it's the L and it's the weekend, the train didn't leave for a long time.
Aaron noticed that the next train car was relatively empty, "Since the only open exit was a measly 1/2-door at the furthest end of the car, my companion and I ventured between stationary subway cars. We could only bask in the luxury of the empty car for a moment, as immediately upon our entrance, a plain-clothed NYPD officer instructed us to 'come with him.' "
The cop issued a $75 ticket for "unsafe riding"—and added there's an appeal process.
The MTA confirmed that the rule still applies for trains waiting in stations, but isn't having a police officer ticket subway riders passing between stationary train cars similar to cops ticketing riders for putting their feet on other subway seats in otherwise empty cars? Maybe it's quota time!
