Two articles today highlighted some interesting ancillary effects of transit changes:
- In New York, there are major changes happening to subway routes. The W and V routes are being eliminated and the M has a new route. The side effect of all this: About $600,000 in signage changes. The transit agency must replace some 3,000 signs and 25,000 maps, all to be switched out within the span of about two weeks before the service changes take effect. The replacements range in size and price. A small vinyl M decal, newly orange, may cost the agency about $25 to produce. A giant porcelain sign, like “42 St — Times Square,” costs about $300 to make.
- In Chicago, the change isn’t routes but cars. CTA has changed from cars that seat two-together with an aisle to a New York configuration with passengers facing each other and lots of standing room. The side effect of this change: according to the article, people are friendlier to each other and talk. But people also stand closer together, decreating the personal bubble. Will this turn Chicago-folk into New York-folk? Time will tell.
Now, a series of service cutbacks are going into effect in the San Francisco area. No lines are disappearing, and the cars aren’t changing, but service frequency is significantly decreasing. I wonder what the side effects of this will be?
[Did you know you can pick which song the Sheriff sings for you on your birthday? It’s easy. Just visit the