Metrosharing Goes Mainstream!

On the morning of April 6, just before I left town for vacation, I saw a piece in the "Metropolitan Diary" in The Times that made me smile:

Dear Diary:

On a recent weekend in New York, my husband and I were sharing a MetroCard. Rushing to catch a train at the Union Square subway station, we didn’t notice that the card was running out of money. My husband swiped the card successfully, passed through the turnstile, then handed it back to me, but the card was now worth $0.00.

As I dithered, trying to decide what to do next, a youth behind me reached around and swiped his card for me.

When I turned to thank him, he replied impatiently, “Just go!”

Mary Donaldson-Evans

Now that I'm back home, I've been metrosharing almost daily (demand seems to be up).  Send metrosharing stories if you like and I will be happy to post them.

On the Street and On the Subway

It was windy out there today on the march down Broadway, across Wall Street, and past the Stock Exchange.  The masses were out, demanding peace and economic security.  I had the good fortune to march with Reverend Billy, the Green Party candidate for Mayor of New York City. Michael O'Neil of the Green Party told me about the MTA Service Specialists.  These young women have taken it upon themselves to improve service on the subways and help riders have a better experience.

The MTA Service Specialists will make you laugh, as they mock the service cuts, restore civility and good will to the subways, and provide their own services: helping riders with directions, carrying strollers, and distributing tissues, snacks, and beautiful smiles.

Check out their website:  www.mtaservice.org/service.html

Second Chance to Take It to the Street

I can't lie.  The pouring rain discouraged me today and I did not make it to Wall Street.  Luckily, we have a second chance (in case you also didn't make it).  This is the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Beyond Vietnam" speech, and the organizers (United For Peace and Justice) are treating this march as a call to our leaders to move us in a new direction, toward peace, economic justice, and equality for all.  

The struggle for affordable public transportation may not seem glamorous (though it is!), but it is a cornerstone of economic justice and a greener NYC.

If you want to march with Rev. Billy's contingent, meet at the SW corner of Franklin and Lafayette at 11:30.  I hope to see you in the streets.