Taking public transportation in NYC is a double-edged sword.

Everyone knows about how the world’s getting fucked in the ass in terms of gas prices, some places more than others. That’s a month-old entry; gas prices in NY start at $4.20 in some places. I really feel it for some people. But one of the best things about living in a place like NYC is public transportation. But this report has proven that taking public transportation is a double-edged sword. It’s good, because you’ll ultimately save money. But the report card’s in and it’s not looking very good, now is it?

I took a look at every one of those subway lines. The highest scoring line is this one, and honestly, I wouldn’t even count it, seeing as it’s just a shuttle; it only takes people from Grand Central to Times Square. Of course no one’s going to really complain–they’re not on the train long enough to complain. Even so, that shuttle scored a B-.

Let’s take another major subway line. Namely one that I have no choice than to take whenever I have to go to Manhattan since it’s the closest to my house (and even so, I still have to hop on a bus to get there). D+. Not surprised, to be honest. Here’s what the 6,301 riders of the E train had to say:

1 Adequate room on board at rush hour
2 Minimal delays during trips
3 Reasonable wait times for trains
4 Cleanliness of subway cars
5 Comfortable temperature in subway cars
6 Train announcements that are easy to hear
7 Station announcements that are easy to hear
8 Cleanliness of stations
9 Sense of security on trains
10 Working elevators and escalators in stations
11 Sense of security in stations
12 Station announcements that are informative
13 Train announcements that are informative
14 Courtesy and helpfulness of station personnel
15 Lack of scratchitti in subway cars
16 Availability of MetroCard Vending Machines
17 Ease of use of subway turnstiles
18 Signs in subway cars that help riders find their way
19 Ease of use of subway turnstiles
20 Lack of graffiti in subway cars
21 Lack of graffiti in stations

Here’s my input (in order of appearance):

1. Hell yeah. I am a very nervous person when it comes to large crowds. I hate rush hour for this exact reason. The trains are fucking ridiculous. Crammed on for at least 45 minutes–not fun. And then there’s the horror stories about women getting groped…um…yeah, try to fix that please.

2. A trip that could take a maybe a half hour tops should not take an hour. Fix that too.

3. Well, the only time I seem to notice an issue with wait time is when it’s after rush hours–around 8pm-until. Shit happens, but there’s room for improvement.

4. T’aint shit that can be done about cleanliness with the trains. Why? Because the same people who ride them are the same fuckers who’ll leave their shit there. We can’t exactly ban pigs from riding the subway.

5. Oh my gosh. Just yesterday I was on the train and it was brick ass cold! Turn the AC down! It’s not quite summer yet!

6. For the sake of tourists, people who are hard of hearing, people who have mp3 players on, and those who aren’t fluent in New Yorker, fix the speakers.

7. Read number 6.

8. Read number 4. And no matter how much rat poison you put on the tracks, it’s underground; you’re not getting rid of all of them.

9. Read the last part of number 1. We don’t want to feel paranoid about someone feeling up on us. You know, someone feeling up on us who isn’t our significant other.

10. Especially in the Jamaica Center station. I cannot count how many times those escalators broke down. I won’t go down one, but I’m not afraid to go up one. It’s more convenient sometimes. Same thing with the elevators.

11. Read number 9.

12. I cannot count how many times I went on to say “what the fuck?” after the train conductor said through those sad-ass things they call a speaker some announcement that is supposed to be important. Then I’m greeted with a huge surprise–like a train not running to a certain station. Speak clearly, and make it so that we can all understand.

13. Read number 12.

14. I guess I’ve never been in the situation where I had to deal with snotty personnel. I figured that I’ll figure it out myself. True New Yorkers are like that, right?

15. What’s done is done. Scratchitti, graffiti…I’m sure it can be undone, but it’s going to take a lot of money. Graffiti is a lot easier–paint works or re-tiling. Scratchitti? Someone tell me how the fuck you fix that.

16. I love the MetroCard Vending Machines. There should be more, and they should all be working. Some of them don’t take cash on any given day, then others only take credit cards (when they are the ones that also take cash)…it’s frustrating. It eliminates the long line at the booth. That poor lady at the booth…

17. I didn’t know there was an issue with this…hm…

18. Yeah, this would definitely benefit people. Sometimes I get confused with where I’m going. I feel it for those who aren’t from the area at all. It reduces confusion. A few signs won’t kill.

19. Repeat of #17

20 and 21. Read number 15.

So yeah, double-edged sword. Cheaper than gas, but is a pain in the ass…take your pick.