AMNY Subway Tracker

It's always fascinating to see what advertisers will do to get our attention in the subway. We couldn't miss these holographic frozen food ads plastered throughout the long 42nd Street tunnel that connects the ACE and 1,2,3, and 7 trains. (Full disclosure: the advertiser, Bertolli, has embarked on a massive media buy, including a wrap in amNY tomorrow.) Has anyone seen holographic subway ads before? If so, let us know in comments. And BTW, this tunnel is a favorite of advertisers looking to make a splash -- its walls were recently home to the controversial Jews for Jesus ads.

--Rolando Pujol

Just returned from a vaction to Italy, MTA board member and chair of the NYC Transit Committee said he’ll be sticking around for at least another two months. He announced his retirement last month.

The longest-serving board member -- a Cuomo appointee -- said he’ll leave when his replacement is found.

“That depends on what the governor does,” he told The Tracker.

If Pataki picks his replacement and can get him/her confirmed when the Senate returns in December then he’s out. But, if Pataki defers to his replacement (Spitzer, anyone?) Feinstein could stick around even longer.

So, Pataki has even one more chance to govern beyond the grave.

There’d been a lot of idle speculation lately of what Feinstein actually meant about retiring. Folks say he loves it too much... And people who’ve been on other end of the phone when he is demanding information says Feinstein, 72, shows no signs of slowing down.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

The mystery of the Station Alliance is solved.

The coalition is Marvin Holland’s group that is now being included in a new coalition called Fresh Start. They submitted their paperwork yesterday.

Subway conductor Mike Carrube, 42, an 18-year transit veteran and former Toussaint ally, will be running for president against Roger.

“What we stand for is complete change within the local,” Carrube told The Tracker. “Democracy under the current adminstration was thrown out the window. We believe a union should be membership driven not leadership driven.”

He called it a “slap in the face” that Toussaint ordered a revote on the rejected post-strike contract. He also said it was a “slap in the face” that elected officers and chairs don’t have enough power to operate independently. Finally, one his first orders of business if elected, he said, was seeing to it that now executive board members are on the union payroll.

Holland said the coalition is working at a grassroots level and doesn’t want to exchnage in any kind of mudslinging through the media.

Barry Roberts and Ainsley Stewart are also challenging Toussaint.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Was it worth it? A look at the strike 9 months later. BTW-- Tossaint says yes. His foes say no. [amNY]

Liking the No. 7 extension: Daily News edit board approved the No. 7 extension deal. [Daily News]

Hell of a deck: Big developers worry that the cost of constructing a deck over the West Side Yards may be prohibitively expensive. Confusion reigns of the deal. And the yards could be put to auction in 6 months. [NY Post]

Spitzer’s good graces: Can Al D’Amato win some influence with Eliot Spitzer (and keep contacts flowing to his lucrative lobbying business) by convincing MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow to step down? [NY Times]

Shhhh: Just like the LIRR, Metro-North riders hate when their fellow passengers yap on their cell phones. [Journal News]

What me liable: Judge to decide if businesses can sue MTA and union over lost income during the three-day strike. [NY Post]

Chem sniffer: Details on new chem sniffer for Penn Station. [NY Times]

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Power problems along the Amtrak lines that NJ Transit uses caused 90 minute delays this morning -- again. Everything was back on schedule by 9:30.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

From NYC Transit:

Bronx Bomber’s fans heading up to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees take on the Detroit Tigers for either Game One on Tuesday night or Game Two on Wednesday night already know the best way to the game is by taking either the 4 or the D train to 161st Street-Yankee Stadium. Before the first pitch is even thrown, NYC Transit plans on bringing the heat, providing additional service on the Jerome Avenue Line , with 4 trains running every 4-minutes starting 90 minutes before the game. Following each home game, there will be up to 10 additional D trains and up to 15 additional 4 trains providing continuous service, with a train arriving at 161st Street-Yankee Stadium every 2-3 minutes, until the crowd dissipates.

All year long, loyal Mets’ fans have been waiting for October and a return to post-season play. A record 3.4 million fans attended home games at Shea Stadium this season, and most heeded the advice of the Mets and NYC Transit to “Take the Train to the Game.” The playoffs should be no exception. NYC Transit has a “double-play” service plan in place to get fans to and from Shea. Before Wednesday afternoon’s Game One against the Dodgers, NYC Transit will provide 2 additional Main Street-bound & Express and 2 additional 7 local trains for Mets faithful heading out to Shea. This additional service starts 90-minutes before the start of the game. On Thursday night, NYC Transit will provide 3 extra Main Street-bound & Express trains, and 3 extra 7 local trains, with additional service starting 90-minutes prior to the start of the game. At the conclusion of each home game at Shea, NYC Transit will provide up to 7 additional 7 trains headed back to Manhattan, with trains arriving at Willets Point/Shea Stadium every 2 – 3 minutes until fans have cleared the station.

Here’s a scanned copy of Toussaint foe Barry Robert’s strike letter. Interpret it as you wish.

After the jump

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Mayor Bloomberg was up in the Bronx today to open the Barretto Point Park. A reporter asked the mayor about the community’s desire to have better access to public transportation.

He responded:

We’d all like better public transportation. You can talk to the MTA. You know, we’re trying to make sure that all parts of the neighborhood have, and I think, you know, it’s a chicken and egg thing. If you get more people here then the MTA might very well be more responsive.

Obviously, sometimes it’s the egg (mass transit) before chicken (population growth). Look at the West Side Yards land deal. The mayor needs to the No. 7 extended before develpment can take off -- he’s not waiting for the MTA to come around. Apparently, things work differently in the South Bronx.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Ainsley Stewart said he filed his paperwork today to formally run on the Union Democracy slate for president of the TWU. He’s no ghost candidate, he said, and is in it to win.

He said the campaign is going to heat up quick.

“Everyone is going to take their hats off and pull their sleeves up,” he said. He plans to hammer Toussaint on calling off the strike after 60 hours and, of course, the 1.5% of gross wage health insurance premiums that was in the rejected contract.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

STATEMENT FROM GEORGE NICOLAU, CHAIRPERSON, PUBLIC ARBITRATION PANEL OF THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD

After 10 days of hearings in the matter of the impasse arbitration between Transport Workers Union, Local 100, and MTA New York City Transit, the evidentiary portion of the case has concluded. The parties have been directed by the Chairman to file their briefs by November 15, 2006.

Roger’s John Hancock: Toussaint is selling $2 autographed photos of himself in a bid to raise re-election cash. [amNY]
Another Toussaint photo after the jump

Behind schedule: State comptroller report shows 10 out of 15 big MTA security projects behind schedule and over budget. [amNY]

Access-a-Ride access-a-debt: Cost of Access-a-Ride which provides door-to-door service for the disabled is soaring. [IBO]

Worst of the worst: A look at three subway predators and what transit cops are doing to keep an eye on them. [Daily News]

Back in the day: Retired LIRR chief reflected on changes to the rail road over the past half-century. [NY Times]

Stuck in Staten: SI residents contend with reduced bus service. [NY Times]

Battle of the bands: Licensed and unlicensed subway platform performers vie for the best spots. And it can get ugly. [NY Sun]

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Coming out of the “no surprise there department” -- transit worker Internet chatter is a buzz with the news from The Chief that former TWU prez Sonny Hall isn’t supporting Roger Toussaint.

Hall said both Barry Roberts and Ainsley Stewart would make good presidents but lamented the three rival slates (including Mike Carrube).

"I'm not taking any position where I'm going to campaign for anybody, but I'd be happy if Barry Roberts were elected. I know Barry; he comes out of my old division and he's a good candidate."

But, Hall (like many Toussaint-foes) would prefer there just be one opposition slate to topple Toussaint.

Roberts comes out of the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority Division (bus) -- which was Hall’s old base of support.

Complete article from The Chief after the jump

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

These pink ladies aren’t trying to stop the waror cure breast cancer -- their pinkness is just “art.”

Keep you eye out for “Theatre Ouf! Pink Ladies Interactive Comedy” on the subway and commuter rails. Basically a bunch of French performance artists will be doing shtick all around the city every Saturday until Nov. 25.

New Yorkers might encounter Théâtre OUF’s Pink Ladies in the subway, the top of the Empire State Building, in Central Park, or anywhere within the five boroughs. Clues to their location, travel route and times will be posted every week on the website www.theatreouf.org.

The Pink Ladies declare themselves members of the worldwide PINK ACADEMY whose mission statement is "to save the world and bring happiness to people all over the planet by speading fake mustaches"

Théâtre OUF’s is an award winning French-American physical comedy theatre company based in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The (almost) all female troupe creates interactive shows addressing current social issues, through a collaborative rehearsal process based on improvisation under Hélène Demé-Elzévir’s direction. The Pink Ladies are Hélène Zinzsner, Michelle Ramoni, Claire Gauntner, Yassi Jahanmir, Katie Hartman and Hélène Demé-Elzévir.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Gawker is having a lot of fun with Toussaint selling his photos for $2. Check it out.

Apparently, the strike is a big money maker.

1199SEIU boss Dennis Rivera is organizing a benefit for the “TWU LOCAL 100 Solidarity Fund.”

Called “Strike: Our Fight is Your Fight” the event will feature more strike photos for sale (no word whether they are autographed), food, music, and poetry at Gallery 1199 of the Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center in Hells Kitchen. Strike poetry??

This money won't be going to fund Toussaint's re-election campaign (it shouldn't anyway) but to help the union defray costs of the strike -- like the $2.5 million fine, legal fees, and loss of automatic dues check off.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Billing themselves as the "front of the front lines" the Station Alliance together with subway conductor Mike Carrube scheduled a press conference tomorrow afternoon in Chelsea to announce their Fresh Start slate for control of the transit union.

An old union hand told me a good TWU election campaign can easily run $250,000 with mailers, pollsters, consultants, robo calls, etc, etc, etc. That's more than a City Council race. "We get more votes than a council election," he quipped.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

The Tracker had its gym bag searched a little after 9 a.m. at the 86th & Lex station. This, of course, being part of the city’s controversial bag search program after the 2005 London transit bombings.

A police officer standing in front of the turnstiles made a hand signal to another officer manning the table. That officer flagged me down, motioned for me to put the bag on the table. I unzipped it. He peaked. He made a snarky comment about the contents.

And that was it. No longer than 10 seconds.

On a side note, subway bag searches are coming to Boston.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

A tipster named “Crazy Jim” spotted an LIRR engineer taking photos of people exiting the train at the Shea Stadium - Willets Point station yesterday. He was kneeling down specifically getting shots of people stepping over the gap and onto the platform.

Maybe it was part of the new Railroad Safety Advisory Committee that is studying the potentially hazardous gaps. Those gaps can kill.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Another loss for the transit union. Its appeal against the Taylor Law fines was rejected.

Statement by Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel,

NYC Law Department, on MTA Ruling

"We are very pleased that the Court affirmed the penalties imposed on the unions for their illegal activity and reaffirmed that these matters may be swiftly heard by a judge without a jury. This is a very important precedent for the future.

"We are also pleased that the Court reaffirmed that no defense existed for public employees going on strike. We hope that the MTA and unions can now focus on resolving their ongoing contract issues, as the Taylor Law provides, through the presently pending arbitration process."

* * *

Station cleaner Anthony Staley just called to say he is also running as an indpendent for president of Transport Workers Union Local 100.

That makes four opposition candidates to Roger Toussaint. Must be good news for him. Staley says:

“I’m running on my own slate as an indepdent. Most of those guy are already in office and they showed what they capable of doing. These are the same guys and they are playing musical chairs. All of these guys have done nothing”

The 1.5% for health insurance that Toussaint bargained was “foolish,” he said.

Staley added that the strike was wrong. “I only walked out in solidarity with my co-workers. Not in support of Roger.”

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Councilman John Liu, the chair of the council transportation committee, and constant critic of the MTA was dissed again by the agency.

Transit officials refused to testify at his hearing today on evacuation procedures. Last month they skipped his hearing about the Queens blackout and transit.

Does it kind of kill his "bully pulpit," a reporter, wondered if the MTA doesn't show up for a berating?

Oh, and Charles Seaton of MTA NYC Transit just said that his agency won't even be submitting written testimony about the evacuation procedures any time soon.

See Liu's press release after the jump. Also see an amNY article from June (no link available) on the same topic.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Tom Carney, ATU Local 726, Recording Secretary, Staten Island Division sent out an e-mail saying his union voted by an 89% margin to up their union dues by $2 per week with the money going to help TWU Local 100 cope with the Taylor Law fines.

These days, the ATU guys seem pretty happy, even though they now pay 1.5% of their gross income for health benefits they got raises and many will get fat pension rebate checks.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

It looks like all the Toussaint foes out there will be harping on the theme that Roger is an “egotist” and “dictator.” Harsh rhetoric but who knows how effective it will be.

After the jump see the latest attack flier from Barry Robert’s Rail and Bus United slated.

In other literature, Rail and Bus warns that any vote for a “third slate” is like a vote for Toussaint.”

Formal petitioning begins Oct. 10 but its unclear how much of this activity the typical commuter will actually see.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Photo by Jefferson Siegel

Graceful exit? Could MTA Chair Peter Kalikow leave his post early next year to head up the influential Real Estate Board of New York? That’s the talk in the Times. It also notes that the funding for many of the big expansion projects is being finalized allowing Kalikow to exit with dignity and honor. [NY Times]

Boston bag searches: Mass. gov Mitt Romney orders random bag searches on Boston’s T subway. And the Boston Globe edit board supports the move. [Boston Globe]

The forgotten yards: Queens residents worry about future of MTA rail yards in Sunnyside. Some say building housing above it could create the “Battery Park City of Queens.” [Queens Chronicle]

No exit: Feud between MTA and Vornado over the a closed exit on the 59th St. and Lex station shows no sign of being resolved any time soon. [WCBS]

Talk about timing: Just as disabled transit advocate Michael Harris starts presser to blast MTA’s broken elevators one of them catches fire at Grand Central. [Daily News]

Train us: TWU renews call for better security and evacuation training. Meanwhile, MTA snubs Councilman John Liu -- again. [amNY via Newday]

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Speaking on his radio show Friday, Bloomberg said the No. 7 extension will spur West Side development. Again, the rules for this project are different than for the South Bronx. He also mentions Canary Wharf in London.

Once you put in the subway line to the West Side, there will be a lot of interest in all of this land. You take a look at London, Canary Wharf, which is a big island development, harbor development, which went ahead without mass transit, with the promise of mass transit, then the developers, the Reichmans, went bankrupt because mass transit never arrived and you can’t get there…

Well, if there’s no mass transit, the people don’t arrive. That’s exactly right. They then built, I think it’s called a Jubilee line, the subway over to there, and then of course the next owner made a fortune because it’s been a very successful development. Here, nobody’s going to go to West Side after learning that lesson until the subway’s going and that is going ahead. We hope to start to work on it already. We hope to be tunneling by the first of the year.

It is, of course, reassuring to know that city leaders are looking for examples worldwide of the do’s and dont’s of massive planned development.

On a related topic, this Tuesday, City Council is expected to grill City Hall and MTA officials over the financing of the No. 7 extension. Well, only if they show up, that is.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

For those PayPass guinea pigs living along the Lexington Line -- free rides all week.

The Tracker isn’t sure if this is a sign of desperation because folks just aren’t using or just another way of testing the PayPass. In other promotional literature from PayPass the subway isn’t even mentioned.

Even so, NYC Transit head Larry Reuter said last month that Citi is looking to expand the scope and duration of the pilot program.

The Tracker’s own test of it found it to be less “tap-n-go” and more “tap-wait-go.”

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

If the $2 signed postcards or $3 bracelets weren't good enough. How about a signed $10 poster?

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Adding to the recent insults the MTA has thrown at Councilman John Liu, chairman of the council transportation committee, now an aide says, the agency isn't allowing him to spend the day as a transit worker.

Last August, Liu announced he would spend the day as a track worker to learn more about the life of every day New Yorkers. The idea -- from former Sen. Bob Graham -- would have Liu perform a different job once a week. But, Liu's aide says he was refused entry to the subway. The aide suspects he lost permission as soon as the authority realized Liu was a) working the TWU Local 100 b) going to invite the press. So, it doesn't look like John'll be working on the railroad any time soon.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

The PayPass crew was out in force this morning at the 96th and Lex station. Four young public relations folks -- decked out in Nascar inspired black and green checkered jumpsuits -- were handing out PayPass fliers. They even had a giant arrow pasted on the floor leading up to the one turnstile equipped with the PayPass reader.

The Tracker didn’t observe any takers. Now, The Tracker doesn’t think anything is wrong with PayPass, but The Tracker like most people is scared of change.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

"Speedwheels" by Daniel Sinclair (1991) Stainless steel, brass, bronze and aluminum. Commissioned and owned by MTA Arts for Transit Above the passageway between the Grand Central Station subway station and the "S" Shuttle line. By Jefferson Siegel

Photogs and PATH: Photographs are challenging the Port Authority’s strict rules on taking pictures in the PATH. [amNY]

Transit cops and racial profiling: To catch a group of robbers did an NYPD Transit captain order his officers to stop all make black teens at a Park Slope subway station? [NY Post]

This should make the NYCLU angry: The new security cameras the MTA is having developed will record and store people’s images permanently. [NY Post]

Bad news for the buffs: Dedicated train buffs decry the end of the “rail fan window” in the new subway cars. Buffs love the perspective of looking through the window in the front of the first subway car that allows people to get a glimpse of the motorman’s perspective. [NY Times]

MetroCards online: Ebay offers cheap, legal MetroCards. [1010 Wins]

And thank you Columbus Day for an easy, comfy commute!

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

From MTA NYC Transit:

NYPD Chief Vincent A. DeMarino has been named Director of Security for MTA New York City Transit. He will be responsible for the security of NYC Transit facilities and the development and implementation of new security initiatives throughout the system. DeMarino is an acknowledged expert in transit security, NYC Transit President Lawrence G. Reuter announced today.

Roger Toussaint not only never reads The Tracker. He never heard of it, he said today.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

To debate or not to debate, that is the question.

Transit union prez Roger Toussaint challenged Barry Roberts to a debate yesterday when kicking off his re-election campaign. Roberts has the highest profile of the four men seeking to topple Toussaint for control of the union.

John Samuelsen, who is vying for the No. 2 spot on the Roberts’ Rail & Bus United slate, told the Daily News: “ We're not pandering to Roger's cult of personality” and declined.

Later that day, Samuelsen told The Tracker that they happily accept: “We take it as a great compliment. When does an incumbent ask a challenger for a debate? He’s acknowledging we are the front-runner.”

If there is a debate, Toussaint says he would want a member of the media to moderate and have it aired on cable TV.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Photo by Jefferson Siegel

Roger’s Right: Toussaint challenged amNewYork to walk the streets of working class neighborhoods test his popularity. He was right. They loved Roger. [amNY]

Kelly denies racial profiling by Transit cops: Police commish says there was no order to stop black men in Brooklyn during a robbery investigation. [NY Post]

Pedicabs: Petty feuds over the unregulated pedicab business prompt more interest from law makers. [NY Post]

Jumping the jumpers: Turnstile jumping has declined significantly over the past 15 years. [Daily News]

It’s official: Roger Toussaint formally announced his re-election campaign. [Daily News]

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Among other decorations, a poster of Che Guevara graces the office of transit union president Roger Toussaint (a native of Trinidad). When asked about it yesterday, he replied:

“Che was important in Latine America and the Carribean and the world. He stood up for the poor and oppressed. He was a person of the times whose name continues to live for a long time.”

Tomorrow NJ TRANSIT will give a sneak preview of its first multilevel train “a six-car consist” at Newark Penn Station.

Designed for customers by customers, the fleet of 234 multilevel rail cars will offer 15-20 percent more seating capacity than single-level cars, while providing an unparalleled level of comfort and convenience.

NJ Transit execs are also expected to announce when it will go into “revenue service” and be available for the general public. Bombardier is the manufacturer.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

At the Association for a Better New York breakfast today, Mayor Bloomberg and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush talked education. Each city school know will get a special report card ranking its progress.

The sample report card was called the Fred C. Dobbs Elementary school.

“Now, for those of you know the names of all 1400 of our public schools, you’ll say ah, but there is no Fred C. Dobbs Elementary School. Let me tell you, we chose that name for a reason. How many fans of American movie classics are there here? Do you know the Fred C. Dobbs ... Kalikow, I would figure you would be the one to know this.”

“You’re 100% right. That is really impressive. Now, how late was the number 4 train leaving 59th St.?” Bloomberg quipped.

Dobbs was the gold hungry adventurer played by Humphrey Bogart in 1958 classic The Treasure of Sierra Madre, whose famous line was “No one puts anything over on Fred C. Dobbs.”

So, if Kalikow is a Bogart fan, maybe that explains the stylish hats.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

The Politicker stopped by the Council hearings on the West Side Yards where deputy mayor Dan Doctoroff was the star attraction. Check it out.

UPDATE: MTA skipped this meeting again. But MTA says it wasn't a diss or a snub. Just a scheduling conflict.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

From NYC Transit:

As the National League Eastern Division Champion New York Mets prepare to take the next step toward winning the National League Pennant, NYC Transit is gearing up to provide “Championship Service” to Mets fans heading to Shea for the National League Championship Series beginning Thursday night, officials announced today.

Dr. Robyn Gershon, the lead author of a deafening new report that subway rising is bad for hearing, recommends people wear ear plugs.

When asked what she does, she said, she used to wear ear plugs all the time, but stopped last year. Why? She authored a study on violence and accidents in the subway and was very disturbed by all the incidents of people being pushed off the platform by psychos.

Subways also present a special concern with respect to crime, although public perceptions about crime are often out of line with actual crime rates, which generally have been dropping. Observes Dr. Gershon, “There are some crimes, unique to subways, such as pushing or attempted pushing onto subway tracks, that loom large in some riders minds [sic].” In fact, one study showed that over 75% of randomly selected New York City passengers were afraid of being pushed onto the tracks, despite the fact that this type of violent event is fortunately very rare for the millions of subway riders. The most frightening aspect of this type of crime, when it does occur, is its utter randomness. [Association of Schools of Public Health]

So, if riders eschew ear plugs to keep alert for psychos, Gershon said standing at the front of the platform wear the front car pulls in has less noise than the middle. Also, simply stinking one’s fingers “well into the ear canal” can cut 20 decibels.

And, speaking of subway psychos, Andrew Goldstein, the nut that pushed the aspiring writer to her death seven years ago, finally pleaded guilty.

Read the complete reply by NYC Transit to Gershon's report after the jump

Photo from Doug Jaeger via Flickr

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Check out this fascinating Smart Money article of the woman behind all the subway inspired hats, t-shirts and bags.

"One day, I was going to one of my auditions, riding the subway, and I looked up and saw these subway logos," she said, referring to the big round numbers or letters that identify the New York City subway lines. A circular green 4 or blue A would look fantastic on T-shirts, bags and baseball caps, she thought.

...

The company's sales currently fall between $800,000 and $900,000 a year, although Lambert expects that to grow to "tens of millions" within the next five years as her product lines get into more stores, here and abroad. On her wish list: Urban Outfitters, Phat Farm...and Macy's. With a decade of experience behind her, Lambert says she's ready to approach the World's Largest Store for a second shot.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Also not to be missed, is the New York Times coverage of the trial of a transit worker accused or murdering his two supervisors at the Coney Island Yard after being fired.

Soon after two transit supervisors were found shot dead inside a Coney Island railyard in 2004, the police began building a case against Darryl Dinkins, an out-of-work train cleaner. For the two weeks ending yesterday, transit workers and bereaved relatives have filled half of a courtroom in Downtown Brooklyn, seated behind a prosecutor to watch.

God forbid one day the phrase “goin’ postal” gets replaced by “going transit.”

But, as we remember the harsh work environment, alleged abuse by supervisors, and thousands of disciplinary actions against transit workers has been a union gripe for years.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

The fourth transit union candidate president Anthony Staley just called to say:

“I’ll debate all four of them. They’ve all been there for two terms and they didn’t do anything other than complain about Roger not letting them do their jobs but they should have fought to do their jobs.”

He said the real issue of the campaign should be all the “frivolous write-ups, dismissals, and suspensions” of transit workers by management.

He also announced his Independent Slate. Reginald Winslow from dept. of buses for Secretary-Treasurer and Brian Morris from Car Equipment for Recording Secretary.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Petitioning by all the transit workers vying for union office began Tuesday.

“There’s a dead tree worth of literature in every crew room,” was how one train operator described the opening of campaign season.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

The TA is warning:

Due to a building fire at E 72nd Street and York Avenue, bus service in the area will experience reroutes and delays.

Gov. Pataki and pals just held a presser at Farley -- soon to be Moynihan Station -- demanding Shelly Silver apporve the project. Of course, Silver has had concers over the project -- especially what happens if Madison Square Garden wants to move into the rear of the building.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer apparently unveiled a five borough transportation plan at his conference at Columuba U today. an attendee reported. Does he have grand 2009 plans?

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Sheldon Silver and his staff skipped the Public Authorities Control Board meeting that was supposed to vote on Moynihan Station today. The drama continues.

From Joe Bruno:

Further delays will only increase the costs and jeopardize the project, along with the jobs and revenues it would create. The Senate was prepared to vote in favor of Moynihan Station two weeks ago because it is critically important to generate economic development and create thousands of jobs.

Blessing or curse: Chinatown is still suffering from the closure of Park Row. Now the Manhattan Bridge will close. But, will this increase or decrease traffic on its clogged streets? [AP via amNY]

Moy Vey: Sheldon Silver blocks funding for Moynihan Station. His main concerns seems to be over the proposal to bring Madison Square Garden into the rear of the facility. Its not that he’s opposed, just he wants seems to want a clear plain. [AP via amNY]

Inked: Security contractors are working on a prototype turnstile that sprays everyone with invisible ink. Officers can then shoot pictures of people and tell if they have explosive residue. Pretty high-tech. [NY Post]

Not guilty: Station cleans acquitted of charges saying he murdered two supervisors in the Coney Island Yards in 2004. [NY Post]

That’s not art: Students busted for leaving bags around subway station as exhibit art. The Tracker says that ain’t art, just a silly stunt that wastes police resources. You want to be an artist, learn to draw first. [AP via Newsday]

Photo by Luis Castaneda via Flickr

As amNY reported last week, tickets in the subway are down almost across the board, except for a few key areas like crossing between subway cars and bringing your pet on board.

After the jump download the Top Ten offenses over the past three years as well as the official list of violations and fines.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

During his presidency, Franklin Delano Roosevelt would arrive at the Waldorf=Astoria through a secure, below-ground train. Track 61, which is not on any official maps, would whisk him and other notables into the swanky and then brand new hotel. Here's one aspect of this story that The Tracker finds fascinating: The armored train car FDR used may still be down there, not far from the tracks where common Metro-North trains rumble every day. Here's a Fox 5 report from August, courtesy of YouTube, that looks at efforts to examine the train. Discoveries include tell-tale armor and codes that suggest this could be it. We'll also do a little more digging into this intriguing story.

-- Rolando Pujol

Napster coming to The Tube? Photo: iStock

Eyes on you: The MTA plans to expand its station-camera program to 32 more stations, with money set aside to wire nearly 30 percent of the 468 stops with the close-circuit video systems, our Chuck Bennett reports. [amNY]

We're all connected: Good news for F train riders looking to jump on the N and R while still in Brooklyn. [amNY]

Digital delay: Those much-anticipated electronic train-arrival boards are stalled in software hell, and the MTA may be looking for another company to provide the service -- $45.2 million later. [NB: This is not the system on the L line, which is faring better.] [The New York Post]

Napster for The Tube: If your travel plans will take you to London soon, you might want to look into a project that allows straphangers there to swap songs while underground. [Undersound via BoingBoing]

-- Rolando Pujol

Not only is the Second Avenue subway looking like it's really going to happen, the MTA reports today that tunnel boring could start by next summer -- ahead of schedule. Most work will happen underground, but a large hole will have to be dug at East 92nd Street.

-- Rolando Pujol

The Straphangers Campaign will issue it fifth annual Pokey Awards tomorrow morning for the slowest moving bus lines in the city. Will the M34 crawl away with the Golden Snail again? We'll let you know here on The Tracker the minute we find out. Here's last year's release.

-- Rolando Pujol

Port Authority scare: Man causes bomb scare -- and pandemonium -- at the Port Authority today. [amNY]

Deadly day: Two dead in scaffolding accidents in city, including one at Queensboro Bridge. [amNY]

As good a time as any: MTA starts planning ahead for the needs of New York in 2030. [amNY]

Map this: Gothamist starts rolling out interesting subway maps; the first looks at links between trains and development in the city. [Gothamist]

We have nothing to fear but hype: Good comments on yesterday's FDR post here and here.

-- Rolando Pujol

... the M14A, which runs from 11th Avenue to Avenue A along 14th Street. The Straphangers Campaign also added a new category this year: The Unreliables. The most unreliable was the M1, which runs from Harlem to the East Village along Fifth and Madison avenues.

Update: Here's the story, and tell us about your slow-bus experiences here.

-- Rolando Pujol

Just before 2 a.m. this morning -- the witching hour when we returned to standard time -- we happened upon an unusual sight at Grand Central Terminal. Two workers were standing atop the information booth, gingerly cleaning the terminal's iconic clock. One was busy with vacuum in hand, and the other was applying compressed air to its face. What better time to tidy up this gem than on "fall back" weekend.

And those workers were rightfully taking great care. Here's an eye-opening fact on the clock, courtesy of Robert Kahn's piece on GCT renovations last year: "Each clock atop the information booth in the main concourse is bejeweled with an opal face. Auction houses have pegged the value of the four faces at more than $10 million." Check out his complete GCT package here.

-- Rolando Pujol

Photos: Elisabeth Stuveras

Reporter Justin Rocket Silverman sent us this listing from Nonsense NYC. He'll try to check it out tonight for a piece later this week. If you go, tell us about it:

All aboard the night train. The hip hop subway series starts off at
the back of the 7 train on 42nd street and 8th Avenue at Time Square
and ends up in queens last stop Flushing Ave. All vocalists and
percussionists are invited to take part in the hottest hip hop jam
session. Human beatboxers, MCs, b-boys, singers, spoken word artists,
dancers and more make up the hottest hip hop subway party. No drums
or kazoos or small portable amps.

Last car on the 7 Train, 42nd Street Subway station at Times Square
8th Avenue and 42nd Street, Manhattan
6p; $free
beatboxerent@gmail.com
http://www.beatboxerent.net

Here's a post we wrote on this phenomenon earlier this year.

-- Rolando Pujol

Photo: iStock

Since when is 47th Street-50th Street Rockefeller Center the "Top of the Rock." Since conductors began to mention the observation deck after Tishman Speyer approached the MTA in a bid to tout the recently reopened facility atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The Daily News broke the story, reporting that Tishman wanted the station to be essentially rechristened, but MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow instead came up with a compromise: Have the conductors mention the observation deck.

And mention it they must. Says the News: The "Top of the Rock" directive, however, came as an official TA bulletin signed by the top subway manager, which conductors said was unprecedented. And supervisors have been posted on the Rockefeller Center station platforms for the last two days to enforce the order.

The whole thing strikes us as unseemly. The MTA argues that conductors sometimes point out worthy places to visit, but Top of Rock is hardly a civic institution like, say, any of New York's great museums. We'd rather the conductor tout the nearby MoMA than Top of the Rock, as much as we like the observation deck and are happy more of this important building is open to the public.

Here's a link to Gothamist's coverage, where an interesting conversation began on favorite subway conductors. Back in the early 1990s, our favorite was a fellow on the 1/9 who would share a tidbit of history about each stop.

-- Rolando Pujol

Photo: Jefferson Siegel

What to do with all those MetroCards littering subway stations and causing fires and floods (and soon, no doubt, plagues) along with copies of amNewYork? Why, do the MTA a favor: pick them up, take them home and turn them into a Halloween costume with a lovely subway motif. The A train has already been claimed, but you can still be the first cool kid on your block to have a Second Avenue "T" line costume. From Matt Windman's story: "It's funny, makes people smile and gets them to think about an everyday thing like a Metrocard as art in a whole new way," said Andy Padre, who used about 1,000 discarded cards which he and friends collected from the subway.

Check out this photo gallery and video.

-- Rolando Pujol

A Florida boy stole a public transit bus, picked up passengers, and not only lived to tell the tale, he gave the Orlando area LYNX bus service an earful: "I drove that bus better than most of the LYNX drivers could," the teen, who is too young to drive legally, told a deputy after he was stopped and arrested. "There isn't a scratch on it. I know how to start it, drive it, lower it, raise it."

Photo of Ritchie Calvin Davis from AP

-- Rolando Pujol

Nicholas Gallo, 2, of Manhattan, plays near the world's largest pumpkin at Grand Central Terminal. (AP)

Behold, the world's largest pumpkin, on view today at Grand Central Terminal's Halloweekend. The Rhode Island pumpkin weighs in at whopping 1,502 pounds. Here's the scoop.

-- Rolando Pujol

This has been making the blog rounds during the past few weeks, but take a look if you use a pay-per-ride MetroCard.You'll never again have to throw out that odd amount of virtual coinage again after you try the MetroCard Bonus Calculator. Swiping is better when your total is divisible by $2.

Taxi!! Now from the subway to the streets. The Taxi Fare Finder takes some of the guess work out of figuring out how much a cab ride will set you back. Just enter your starting point and destination, and you'll get an estimated fare, as well as a suggested itinerary.

-- Rolando Pujol

Photo: Julia Gaines

The next governor will inherit a host of transportation headaches from Gov. George Pataki. With no shortage of major projects competing for funds, and a looming MTA budget deficit, the next four years will not be easy ones. Newsday's Herbert Lowe breaks it down.

And here's a quick look at the priorities the two candidates have identified:

John Faso
Would use revenue from state sales tax on gasoline and diesel for "pay as you go" financing for roads, bridges and transit plans statewide.

Complete Second Avenue subway project, LIRR-Grand Central link.

Has called for negotiations with MTA's unions to focus in part on better productivity.

Eliot Spitzer

Give priority to projects such as Second Avenue subway and LIRR link to Grand Central Terminal, which he calls essential to providing transit capacity to handle job growth in Manhattan and commuting growth from Long Island.

Reform transportation agencies.

Complete major regional projects around the state, including construction of Interstate 86, aimed at expanding economic activity from the Pennsylvania border to the New York State Thruway in Orange County.

And from the Tracker archives, here's amNY transportation columnist Joe Rappaport's take on the next governor's challenges.

-- Rolando Pujol

Photos: AP

The Daily News follows up on the MTA's absorption of the private bus lines, and finds that the city is spending more money that it initially said it would to help the agency handle the costs. New York had initially committed to spending $150 million yearly, but the News say that for the fiscal year ending June 30, that bill increased to $234 million as costs soared. Still, service has improved, with scores of news buses replacing creaky ones.

-- Rolando Pujol

Photo: Alan Raia

Photo: AP

Don't lose your head: Weekend tourism tip -- head to Sleepy Hollow to check out this new Headless Horseman statue along Route 9. If you take Metro-North's Hudson line, just watch out for the gap at the Tarrytown train station.

Vent Your Inspiration: You may be a poet and not know it -- when it comes to your subway commute. Check out this contest, and put the Poetry in Motion series to shame. [NY1]

An 'Easier' commute: It won't change how wretched that commute is, but highway signs will soon tell you how much longer your slog to certain destinations will be, thanks to live E-ZPass data. [Daily News]

Boost for Fossella: Bus drivers' union backs GOP U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella, who promises to keep the pressure on for public transportation improvements on Staten Island. [Staten Island Advance]

Heat for Port Authority: More on the case transgender activists are making against the Port Authority for arrests at the bus terminal. [New York Blade]

-- Rolando Pujol