Like many city-dwellers, my ability to travel around depends on public transportation. Here, we have city subway and buses. For better or worse, life wouldn’t be the same without them. These are not just my own first-hand visual stories, they’re everyone who has ever been a Straphanger.
Rush hour has to be one of the most anxiety-filled aspects of strap-hanging. The close-quarters contact between oneself and fellow riders can be exasperating.
In 2004 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), parent organization of New York City’s Subways & Buses considered banning photography in all areas of the system—including public areas. Dozens of photographers staged a protest by riding the system and photographing at every point beginning at Grand Central Terminal. Riding the subway downtown, and ending at MTA Headquarters back in Midtown. Ultimately, the ban proposal didn’t get approved by the MTA Board.
The biggest luxury of suburban commuting has to be ticketed seating, though it wouldn’t work that well on the world’s largest subway system. Ticketed seating is implemented on express buses—but at a premium cost relative to the regular fare.
The nature of the city’s subway, a means to an end. If we didn’t have to, we wouldn’t! Population density and travel distance leaves no choice but to ride the overcrowded underground—the working class has to survive in support of their ever-growing needs. Going where the money is in order to make money. It’s rush hour, I believe he’s on the way to work since he’s polishing his shoes.
Pop-up public-participation art at the 14th Street Union Square Station. Although there’s lots of artwork in the subway system, most of it is not viewable when you have the most time to look at it—riding! There’s Poetry in Motion posters, and the flat-art strips just above some of the window seats on some subway lines. Unfortunately, most art is on the platforms.
A view of two extremes. The quiet calm. The frenetic chaos.
Latest ridership data per the MTA
Rich, poor and everything in between is there, no matter your opinion. He’s asleep.
The intentional satire in this photograph is a direct allusion to my intermittent thoughts about strap-hanging.
There you have it. Just a few of the observations I’ve had in my head commuting over the years. Though I don’t consider myself a commuter fanatic, I do have an above average interest in understanding subway systems—and trains in general. That wasn’t always the case though. I did have a fear of subways systems when I was a pre-teenager. Similar to the fear of flying some people have. Though they’re not equally the same, both are fearful responses nonetheless. Overcoming fears is progress in my book.
I’ll have more straphanger stories in the future. As always, I thank you for reading the newsletter through. If you considered this story to be an interesting, insightful, or enjoyable read—please hit the like button so I know it’s having a positive impact.
Til next time…
Kenneth