HOW TO USE YOUR CHILD FOR FREE METROCARDS!

via New York Newsday

So. Apparently, Mayor Bloomberg gave a radio address where he went all postal on the union that represents school bus drivers.  And by "postal," I mean "passive-aggressive." He asserted that the union is making demands that the city can't, legally, meet. And then he warned that they may strike over these so-called illegal demands that can't be met.

This makes total sense. Unions are stronger than they've ever been, these days.  All it takes is for a union to make an illegal demand, and then Mayor Bloomberg (who has only managed to get what little money he has by virtue of kow-towing to unions right-and-left), well, Our Dear Mayor has his hands tied!  Poor thing.  This is probably why we don't have that express train on the F line that he promised us last time he was up for election. Because of unions!

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Smith/9th F/G To reopen in April

Photo via www.harukophoto.blogspot.com

Via Park Slope Patch comes the news that the Smith/9th Street station on the F/G line will reopen in April of this year. This will be great for the the people who live off of this stop, but greater for those of us who will get the xtra 45 seconds of above-ground cell phone usage! 

Occupy Wall Streeters Sang MTA Fare Hike Carols to Subway Commuters

They weren't the most well-rehearsed group, but at least they didn't ask for money afterwards. 

We're all fucked (sort of): the MTA is Raising Fares

Yesterday morning, the Metropolitan Transit Authority board met to decide on whether to raise our public transportation fares. In the wake of ongoing budget issues, including unexpected costs incurred following Hurricane Sandy damage, they have decided to raise prices. Here's what to expect starting March 2013:

• Base train and bus fares are bumping up from $2.25 to $2.50
• Monthly Metro cards are going up from $104 to $112. 
• Weekly Metrocards are going up $1 from $29 to $30
• To urge people to refill old cards instead of constantly purchasing new ones, a $1 surcharge will be added to freshly-purchased cards. 

[Via Park Slope Patch]

WELP, WE FINALLY HEARD BACK ABOUT METRO CARD REFUNDS

When the MTA closed the subway systems down at 7PM the night before Hurricane Sandy, we all collectively wondered the same thing: Will holders of unlimited Metro cards get some of their money back?

The answer, as it turns out, is a big fat NO.

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