Graffiti up, rats slightly down: The state of New York City subway platforms
New York City’s subway platforms have more graffiti, more water damage and slightly fewer rats.
They also had more overflowing trash cans, fewer “substantial floor cracks,” and a little bit less peeling paint, according to the Straphangers Campaign, which, between May 28 and August 10, sent a bunch of staffers and interns into the subway system to scour 251 platforms at 120 stations in search signs of disrepair.
According to all of the indicators (available here), the subway platforms are in better condition than they were last year, particularly when measured by staircases in disrepair, exposed wiring, floor cracks, lighting and the presence of garbage bags on platforms.
“We applaud transit managers and workers for improving conditions at many stations,” said Jason Chin-Fatt, the Straphanger Campaign staff member who oversaw the survey, in a statement. “But there’s still room for further progress. There’s no reason, for example, that riders should have a one in ten chance of seeing a rat while waiting for a train.”
via Graffiti up, rats slightly down: The state of New York City subway platforms | Capital New York.