Second Ave. Sagas

Video: A comedic commentary on the MTA’s non-apology

Written by

Benjamin Kabak

in

Warning: For those with sensitive ears or no headphones at their desk, the video contains some NSFW language.

Early on Wednesday morning, this video from Above Average started making the rounds, and it truly hits at something every subway rider thinks at least once or twice. To some note a few years ago, Transit’s automated announcements stopped apologize for unavoidable delays and simply started thanking riders for their patience. It was a sea change in the psychology of MTA announcements, and while it hasn’t solved the problem of unavoidable delays, the MTA is no longer apologizing on a regular basis for what they view as normal operating conditions.

Above Average has taken that concept to its comedic end as their video features a monologue from a conductor who is definitely not apologizing for a delay. “From now on,” she says, “we’re no longer going to apologize when we have nothing to be sorry for.” It’s the blunt approach to the MTA’s own shift in tone.

My favorite part of the video is the truth bomb. As the subway riders grow leery of the hijacked announcement, the conductor grows more petulant. “If you don’t like it,” she says after excoriating the passengers to act like adults, “you can go to some other city with a sh***ier subway system. Oh right, that’s every other city.” Spoken like a true New Yorker.

Comments

15 responses to “Video: A comedic commentary on the MTA’s non-apology”

  1. Herb Lehman

    Haha, that’s a great video.
    For what it’s worth, the automated announcements have essentially become noise pollution. Much as I don’t like the older trains that have crept back onto the 6 line, sometimes it’s a relief to get them and not have to be subjected to constant wall-to-wall announcements — on top of awful music and rap spilling out of everyone’s headphones and all of the other nonsense.

    Reply
    1. Dexter

      Automated announcements are needed for the blind. So that’s not possible.

      Reply
  2. Dave

    Just back from London, where Transport for London actually refund your money for delays on the Tube. Amazing difference between the two cities.

    Reply
  3. Larry Littlefield

    Have you been following the attitude of the police union, the teachers’ union, the correction officers’ union, the Long Island Railroad unions?

    The NYC subway and its workers are the least offenders.

    Reply
    1. BLAH

      You must be a lot of fun at parties Larry.

      Reply
    2. Bolwerk

      I didn’t even take that as an attack on transit employees’ attitudes. If anything, it seems to be making fun of people’s unreasonable expectations.

      Reply
      1. Benjamin Kabak

        This how I interpreted the video too. It’s much more a commentary on the riders than the workers.

        Reply
      2. JJ Barister

        While I agree you cannot take the delays out on the workers, the MTA itself should be more transparent with its riders. I am sick and tired of the unannounced rush hour work on Queens Boulevard. I am annoyed that a 15+ minute delay in trains during rush hour does not get any explanation. It makes me very disappointed that the MTA thinks everyone traveling outside rush hour should just expect delays without any announcement. If you honestly think the riders do not deserve more transparency, I got no words for you.

        Reply
        1. adirondacker12800

          What makes you think they know what’s causing the delay? How does knowing what causes the delay make you get to where you are going any faster? How much money should they spend on it?

          Reply
  4. Alek

    I’m deaf. Any transcript so I could understand

    Reply
    1. tacony

      The closed captions on the YouTube video work. Hit the “CC” icon on the bottom right.

      Reply
      1. Theorem Ox

        Writing in to confirm that the closed captioning on this video is very faithful to the audio track.

        Reply
        1. Alek

          Thanks!

          Reply
      2. Eric

        I’m not deaf, but that’s a great trick to use at work. Thanks.

        Reply
  5. Phantom

    I actually don’t like it when they apologize for things that they can’t control, like a police action or sick passenger. Or when they make an airline employee apologize for a weather delay.

    If they’ve made a mistake or otherwise screwed up, apologies may be in order, but if they have not, no apology should be given.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts