I’ve heard NYers are perpetually late but unlike most regions there’s an understanding for this lack of punctuality because of situational influences: freak rain, taxi accidents, or train delays. I admit, I’ve used the train delay reason for being tardy a few times, but there have been several justifiable instances where I’m on time and there’s just no way a taxi, walking or a train will get me to my destination or meeting early enough.
Today was one of those days, I had a meeting uptown near 54th and Lex, so I took the dirty E uptown about 45 min before my appointment. I arrived on time up to Penn station and then the train relaxed. You can always tell you’re going to be stuck when the door don’t slam shut on someone and the train releases a burst of air pressure from the breaks as if signing, needing the rest. Apparently someone had gotten sick on the train in the station ahead of us, and it’s holding up the whole line.
Getting sick and halting the transportation system for one of the largest cities in the world seems absurd but apparently it happens more often that I thought. Today I just happen to be reading the NY Post, and in it is an article on one of the MTA‘s latest marketing campaigns as of late: Ads through out the subway lines that encourage New Yorkers to take the day off if they are laid up or sick and to stay off the trains.
Apparently last year, sick customers caused 6,136 delays on the the NY subway lines, which is the 3rd largest cause of delays (for the 2nd straight year – 4,481 delays in 2006). Apparently when passengers are sick, MTA employees and even train conductors must stay with the passengers until EMT or other help arrives to ensure their safety. Without someone to man the trains, everyone must wait….. So next time you’re feeling sick on the train, make sure you get off before you puke! I was 25 minutes late for my meeting because some jackass threw up from his pneumonia.
Yeah I saw that article too and was also really surprised by it. I think the MTA really is stuck in a tough situation on this one: if they kept the trains running when someone claimed to be ill and then that person really was ill and got worse, that would open them up to some serious potential liability and litigation. The MTA loses literally millions and millions annually on people tripping down the stairs, stumbling through gaps entering and leaving trains, etc. Sucks, but its all part of life in the big city!