05.24.05
Posted in public transportation at 6:06 pm by admin
When I was taking a video production course, I decided to do a short commercial project on the New York MTA. I was shooting video of subway trains in motion, and as one of them came to a stop, this conductor screamed at me for taking video. Little did I know that the video I was shooting could be used to aid terrorist scum. Anyway, things are a little bit more sane now, thankfully, and now those of us who are creative are allowed to take pictures on the subway and in stations again. That’s really good, because I think the subway is a fascinating place for photography — the people, the textures — it’s a shame you can’t capture the smell on film or compact flash card.
New York Subway Photography Ban is Dropped - PhotographyBLOG
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05.06.05
Posted in public transportation at 8:50 pm by admin
Last night after walking down the Jersey City waterfront I had the opportunity to take the NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail home for the first time since I moved here. It was slick, but I’m a bit confused by it, to be honest.
For starters, you buy your ticket and have it stamped by this validation machine at the station. When the train comes, you have to push a button on the side of it or the doors will not open. No one takes your ticket. You just sit there and ride. There are signs that warn that “enforcement officers” may come and check tickets sometimes, but otherwise, there is no one to see if you have actually paid. And when you want to get off, you have to push a button to open the door again, or you’ll miss your stop.
I don’t understand how a public transportation system can make money for NJ Transit on the “honor system”. Imagine if retail stores worked that way.
Regardless, it was a very smooth, quiet ride — even if it does encourage freeloaders.
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