“Improvements” On the MTA (From Lonely Elephant’s View)
I happened to be on a nearly deserted subway car the other day. This is an increasingly unusual circumstance on the New York City subway system; even on weekends, trains are jammed, and weekday evenings–forget about it. (Yes, I did try to write that with slang spelling, but it looked weird coming from my computer.)
One problem with a deserted car is that the debris really shows up.
Without other passengers, however, there is plenty space to look at the signs. A new series posted by the MTA itself gave me a clue as to why the system is so decrepit.
There is, for example, the sign detailing a seemingly new repair policy: “If it’s broke, fix it!”
The sign explains: “instead of waiting to fix everything in a station at once, we’re fixing critical parts as soon as they need fixing.”
Wow! What a great idea. Fixing critical parts! Instead of waiting for complete break-down!
“Can our buses go faster? You bet!”
(Then, um, why don’t they?)
Another: “Improvements don’t just happen.”
I’m concerned that they reversed some words on that one. How about “just” and “don’t”?
PS – the above illustration is more iPhone art, which allows for endless iterations. There, the elephant’s in a hoodie. Here’s two earlier versions – it’s a bit like playing with paper dolls.
Explore posts in the same categories: elephants, iPhone art, New York CityTags: Brushes App, decrepit subway system, manicddaily, Manicddaily elephant drawings, Manicddaily iPhone art, MTA, new subway signs, New York City subway
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.


I'd love to hear from you!