In Training

All New Yorkers have heard of an imminent Subway fare hike on the horizon, plus an additional increase a couple of years down the road from the first hike. Currently at $2 for a one way trip anywhere in New York, any non-New Yorker considers this one of the lower fares for Mass Transit compared to other parts of the world.

Yesterday, our faith in our economical transit system was tested yet again, when the tornado from the night before caused flooding in the tunnels , halting service and re-routing trains all across the city. During the morning commute, there were enough simulated, more costly events to well exceed the $2 I paid for the ride.

· Crowded nightclub admission ($20): people pushed up against me with speakers blaring pleas to wait for the next train

· Day at the Sauna ($50): although the AC was on, it didn’t cool off the people squeezing in from the unventilated underground platforms. Especially the large, tank-topped gentleman who snuggled up against my arm looking for standing room. My apologies to the other man next to me, who I wiped my newly sweated arm up against.

· Ticket for rated R movie ($11): Enough scolding and cussing from the people pushing each other on the train to rival any Samuel L. Jackson dialogue.
· Bus ticket to Philly ($20): Two hours to get to my destination.

Over a $100 value, for $2. What a bargain!

Oh and the inevitable tagline:

· Watching people still holding seats for the elderly and standing aside for baby carriages: priceless.