Dear Mayor Mike: Advice re: The MTA.

DEAR MAYOR MIKE:

This is going to be a semi-short for now, but trust me, a long-blog is in the works! While you are of course keenly aware of all the gloriously impossible details of running the city, and while I am further sure that you and your troops have a much better handle than a mere citizen with regards to what needs to be done and what can be done, I figure the reason they call the Mayor's Office a Public Office is so that the Public can put in their 2 cents worth.

So, here is my 2 cents worth for today re: The MTA. (98 more cents will be forthcoming in the days ahead, because lets face it, 2 cents of Advice is worth nothing in this economy.)

1 cent:

First, the MTA needs a bit of competition -- and NOW! They literally have not at all proven their "in the red" status, and further more, actually MORE IMPORTANTLY, they have not proven WHY they are "in the red". If in fact they are in the red because of their own stupidity (which is my guess) then why, exactly, should the Public pay? They need to be held accountable for their most horrific, insulting management of this Country's most valuable Transportation Contract. We need a new company to come in and show them how it's done. Or you need to hire Madame B. Consulting to show them a few "common sense basics". I won't charge nearly as much as they charge for their Executive Luncheons!

2 cents:

I'm actually going to give a common sense basic here for free -- while at the same time proving my theory that the MTA is full of management nightmares, by this one little telling clue, namely:

THEY PAINT THE CEILINGS OF THE SUBWAY STATIONS!! Thus, they are all continually peeling with large sheets falling right down on the heads of the paying public! Not only is this hazardous and indeed, looks ridiculous -- but it is a MASSIVE waste of money! NEED PROOF? Let us work out the math, shall we?

Well, first, they are painting metal, a difficult thing to do because it changes temperature rapidly and readily, and as such creates a not-so-friendly environment for paint to actually stick - even industrial paint which is heavier per volume and meant for this sort of thing -- it doesn't work in this exact instance -- meaning it may work at amusement parks and such, but clearly does not work in the NYC Transit System -- and creates further, even more expensive issues.

Now, add in the fact that there is a ton of vibration from the Train Traffic, only ensuring that the paint cracks all the more readily! Now add in the fact that gravity is pulling down on the ceiling (on this most industrial, heavy paint) (correction for science buffs -- Einstein actually argued that gravity is not pulling, but is rather accelerating mass towards the center of the planet -- Newton had a few other ideas on this but I'm off on a Tangent!), Do you see how ridiculous of an idea it is to continuously paint the ceiling, only for them to inevitably crack and fall moments later?? Yet this ridiculous idea is tried over and over again -- with some Bob telling some Bill that "well, Bill, let's make it look purdy at least!"

I've been here 12 years and they are still trying to make this idea work! MY QUESTION: HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE PAINT ALONE COST? AND THEN ADD IN LABOR -- HOW MUCH IS THAT?! AND THEN ADD IN THE FACT THAT IT IS AN UNREASONABLE TYPE OF THING TO MAINTAIN IN ANY SORT OF MANNER THAT WOULD ACTUALLY LOOK GOOD -- SO IT HAS TO BE DONE OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN! THEN ADD IN THAT NEW YORKERS NEVER LOOK UP -- unless to gawk and conjole about said paint falling on their heads!

Even at The Dakota, one of Manhattan's most privy residences, where they have the most gorgeous painted metal fencing surrounding in a most Royal Highness manner, those gents are out there touching it up weekly! This is simply not a reasonable use of manpower for a vast, 24 hour transportation system!!! RIGHT?!!! DUH! Further it is so unsightly when it is not cared for properly - which it most certainly is not! This all only serves to send a subliminal, yet highly effective message to the rider's that they should not at all give a Rat's Buttocks about keeping the subways Clean & Litter Free!

COMMON SENSE ADVICE: (today's is for free! but do feel welcome to offer a gratuity with the little Pay Pal button right down there on your right!)

1) STOP PAINTING THE CEILINGS!!!!!! Sand blast them and coat them yearly (or bi-yearly) for rust/oxidation with "Cosmetic Task Forces" made of laborers whose sole job is to attend to the cosmetic needs of the stations. Further, TILE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! Tile, when properly laid, lasts forever (look at ROME!) NYC is sort of Rough Around The Edges and as such exposed metal will only add to the charm -- but peeling, cracking, heavy paint falling from exposed metal? That is really hideous, toxic, dangerous -- well, too rough, and certainly does not illicit respect for the system from the riding public.

There are so many more tips I'd love to give, but I promised to keep today's short and well, I am already failing!

More Coming!

Madame B.