Home Self Promotion The MTA is listening…to me!

The MTA is listening…to me!

by Benjamin Kabak

Michael Rundle, reporter for Metro, one of the city’s free daily newspapers, called me last week to talk subways. Specifically, we chatted about the recent proliferation of blogs talking about the MTA and the city’s subways.

It all started a few months ago with the F Express plan. During the major push for this plan — which is still gaining traction among politicians — Gary led the charge with some help from Kensington (Brooklyn) and The Gowanus Lounge. With a new group dedicted to saving the G train setting up shop online, Rundle and his article affirm what those of us writing have learned: The MTA is listening to the bloggers.

He writes:

The message seems to be getting through. Elliot Sander, executive director of the MTA, recognized that bloggers were calling for refunds after subway flooding during an Aug. 9 press conference. And with the introduction of “Rider Report Cards” on the L and 7 trains and new features on the MTA’s Web site, transit officials are increasingly recognizing the importance of customer opinions.

“Yes [we read them], and yes [they make an impact],” MTA spokesperson Jeremy Soffin said yesterday. “Reading blogs is a good way of keeping in touch with what our customers are thinking. Like anything online, the information varies from extremely well-informed people to those who aren’t well informed. But there certainly are a lot of real experts out there.”

Now, neighborhood blogs aren’t the only ones writing about the subway. Gothamist and City Room both cover the MTA religiously, and Streetsblog keeps its eye on public transportation as well. In another realm, the tireless contributors to the Subchat message board keep tabs on the city’s transit systems as well.

For our part, we bloggers have learned that for us to be heard, we have to stay on top of both the news and the facts. Here’s what yours truly had to say to Rundle: “I’ve been very outspoken at times. But at the same time I have to really be on my toes that I’m getting the story right. We have a lot of responsibility now. Things move slowly [at the MTA] but they are listening.”

As I today celebrate the nine-month anniversary of this blog’s first post, I am on the one hand surprised at the traction I and other subway writers have gotten. The MTA listens to us and uses our words as part of a barometer on customer service. It’s humbling. But at the same time, it’s hardly surprising that subway blogs and transit-oriented posts have gained in popularity. This city, after all, runs on its subways. We’re lost without them. And for that, I’ll keep on blogging.

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14 comments

Julie August 21, 2007 - 8:24 am

That’s awesome! Congratulations!

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Marsha August 21, 2007 - 9:27 am

Impressive. Now I just have to find a copy of the Metro.

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peter August 21, 2007 - 9:33 am

A copy of Metro -?
Why, just look on the Subway platform – They’re all over!

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Lillie August 21, 2007 - 12:35 pm

Woo-hoo!
I was so excited to see your name while I was reading on the subway today!
But why didn’t you include the you part in the excerpt above?

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I Hate Boston August 21, 2007 - 12:59 pm

Ah shit, that means people are actually reading my asinine comments. Oh well – Congrats!

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Pia August 21, 2007 - 1:16 pm

Very cool, congrats 🙂

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stepheneliot August 21, 2007 - 2:39 pm

The Second Avenue Sagas Blogger deserves to be lsitened to. He has strong opinions that have been proven to be valued, and the outcome may be thei implementation of some of these ideas in the near future. All I can say is keep those thoughts flying because they’re falling on the right set of ears. Well done!

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eric the beehivehairdresser August 21, 2007 - 2:47 pm

I just read that piece in the Metro, glad you already knew it was printed.

Congrats!

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Gary August 21, 2007 - 5:16 pm

Nice!

I did a roundup on my lightly traveled corner of the blogosphere after I read your post.

Ben, OT – I’d be interested in seeing more posts on subway expansion; proposals, maps, new lines, stations, etc.

Cheers
gary

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Roosevelt Island 360 August 21, 2007 - 5:16 pm

I just posted on my own blog about the new Rider Report Card program on the MTA / NYCT web pages. Does anyone know how we can get the MTA to publish the results of these rider submitted report cards?

They ask 21 questions that are pretty wide reaching but I see nothing printed about when the results would be available if at all. It woudl be great if their site allowed for continuous cumulative results for each question but maybe that is asking for too much.

You can count on me to follow the F line as it affects Roosevelt Island.

Eric

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Jason P August 21, 2007 - 7:07 pm

Congradulations. This is a perfect example when you spread the word to others to let others know how you feel. Even though I don’t live in NY, i can relate to the subway situations. It’s great that the F and G petitions are sill in affect. Now it’s up to the MTA to finally do something about it!

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Todd August 21, 2007 - 7:35 pm

Does the MTA read your comments? I know it’s a long shot, but here goes:

MTA, if you’re listening, I hate your entire bloated and inefficient organization.

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SUBWAYblogger August 21, 2007 - 7:45 pm

Yeah he called me too, but I wasn’t able to get back to him in time to meet his deadline.

It’s definitely cool that they are reading us!

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We're Not Alone. The MTA is Watching. : SUBWAYblogger.com: Blog from the New York City Subway | Transit | MTA | News August 21, 2007 - 9:13 pm

[…] as we’ve recently learned, we are being watched by the MTA. We the bloggers, that […]

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