I'm in favor of cleaning up these filthy subway stations and trains, but who is going to write the tickets? Cops would have to go up and down the platforms and trains looking to catch people in the act. The city could also raise some revenues ticketing businesses with dirty sidewalks. Start with Broadway going north from W. 181st Street. And cover W. 181st Street while you're at it. Keeping a sidewalk swept clean is something any business owner can do.
How is this going to be enforced, and by whom? One CLEAR way to reduce litter is to forbid food consumption on the train. But of course, the ACLU would step in saying the NYCTA was violating passengers' civil rights.
I'm in favor of the fine, its increase, and of course, its reason. It will be ineffective and impossible to enforce.
Thanks for the idea. GOOD LUCK.
I'm in favor of the fine, its increase, and of course, its reason. It will be ineffective and impossible to enforce.
Thanks for the idea. GOOD LUCK.
3
I'm more concerned about service than littering. For example, there's a 17-minute gap between A trains in Manhattan at rush hour and the MTA labels this "good service." Whatever idiot executive considers this good service should be fined a week's pay. In fact, the MTA should provide rebates (fines) to customers when the agency does stupid things like not telling people when express trains run on the local track.
1
We can't control everything in this city but we can surely do a better job with litter--Cleanliness should be part of every New Yorker's pride in his/her city-- may this idea, bring on a new era of consideration for our home. When I walk in the city I always pick up at least one thing from the sidewalk (usually a plastic bag with a smiley face)- my small contribution -- hoping someone will see me and do the same-- together we can create a culture uncluttered by disregard.
1
that's actually the best penalty. make the offender clean the subway stations and streets for a day. It would also help if the city would put more waste baskets in the stations and around the city.
4
The solution is pretty basic.... Don't liter and you have nothing to worry about.
2
Why do the Governor's solutions to our mass transit problems always involve more fines, more tolls, and more taxes? Does he really believe that the mentally ill and homeless who inhabit our subway stations will be deterred from littering by $100 fines? I can't imagine that law enforcement personnel would give a summons to a group of minority teenagers who are littering. That would be likely to ignite a disturbance and create more problems than it would solve. And who will enforce this law? Undercover police? Perhaps they are considering the use of video cameras and facial recognition software. It would not surprise me.
2
Garbage degrades the quality of life for all New Yorkers!!
I have long been an advocate of extreme penalties for those who leave even a smattering of debris (cigarette butts, gum rappers) anywhere in our city. $100 penalties are not enough. Indeed, those who contribute to the abasement of civil society through the random abandonment of any form of garbage (dog droppings included) should be charged with a felony after a second offense.
Can't pay a $1000 fine for the first offense? Put them to work cleaning the streets, sidewalks and subways. Still littering after that? Send them to Rikers island.
I have long been an advocate of extreme penalties for those who leave even a smattering of debris (cigarette butts, gum rappers) anywhere in our city. $100 penalties are not enough. Indeed, those who contribute to the abasement of civil society through the random abandonment of any form of garbage (dog droppings included) should be charged with a felony after a second offense.
Can't pay a $1000 fine for the first offense? Put them to work cleaning the streets, sidewalks and subways. Still littering after that? Send them to Rikers island.
4
We also need stiff progressive fines and the revocation of privileges for texting while driving and, not kidding here, texting or phone staring in a crosswalk by a pedestrian. While I’m not certain what kind of privileges we’d revoke for pedestrians we should think of something fast! It’s a nightmare out there.
2
There should be a Federal law that states that littering ANYWHERE in the US is an automatic 100 dollar fine. Littering in America is considered by many, if not most as one of the "freedoms", not unlike the freedom of speech, that our forefathers fought for and died for. The filth on our highways and byways tossed out by boorish, ignorant Americans is disgusting. What kind of people are we??
4
seem to be an awful lot of people standing around doing nothing while performing the overwhelming task. maintenance of all kinds must be done regularly - not when you feel like it or things become overwhelming. some of the clean up can't be automated? the best they have is someone carrying around a big vacuum hose with an audience.
3
it used to be rare to see a rat on the tracks. now they are in every station. how about jailing people who litter?
2
i have lived here for 20 years and seen countless people litter on the subway. Never seen anyone get a ticket for it.
4
The Main Street, Flushing, Station removed all of its garbage cans and people are expected to take trash out with them. Prohibiting eating would likely cause the closure of the various food concessions in stations. I usually do not use these, but sometimes on hot days, I get a bottle of cold water. It is almost a health concern not to have this.
1
New York is big on fines but small on enforcement.
Also I notice that there are now lots of cases of gridlock on the streets of Manhattan because cars keep going even though there is no opening across the street. Consequently they end up in the middle of the street and block the cross traffic. They also tend to block the pedestrian crossing. New York pedestrians seem not to be aware that they have a RIGHT to an unblocked crossing when the sign says WALK!
If you want cars to move smoothly you have to enforce the law and I am sure that there already exist fines which could not only move the traffic along but also earn the city a bit of revenue.
In both cases, instead of doubling the fines you should double the enforcement.
Also I notice that there are now lots of cases of gridlock on the streets of Manhattan because cars keep going even though there is no opening across the street. Consequently they end up in the middle of the street and block the cross traffic. They also tend to block the pedestrian crossing. New York pedestrians seem not to be aware that they have a RIGHT to an unblocked crossing when the sign says WALK!
If you want cars to move smoothly you have to enforce the law and I am sure that there already exist fines which could not only move the traffic along but also earn the city a bit of revenue.
In both cases, instead of doubling the fines you should double the enforcement.
6
"Littering Fines Will Double to $100"?
WHO is going to enforce these laws and issue summonses? NOBODY works "down-under" anymore, thanks to the TA's "modernization" and elimination of jobs. You can't even find an agent at most stations anymore.
More hot air from Cuomo...
WHO is going to enforce these laws and issue summonses? NOBODY works "down-under" anymore, thanks to the TA's "modernization" and elimination of jobs. You can't even find an agent at most stations anymore.
More hot air from Cuomo...
3
Double? That's not enough. I see people all the time who just throw plastic water bottles, newspapers, candy wrappers, you name it, on the tracks, on the platforms, on the trains. These are the same people who complain about train delays but can't see and won't admit they make the situation even worse. Fine them and if they don't pay, the next time they are caught again, make them spend one day cleaning up the trains and platforms as punishment.
4
How will it be enforced? I never see cops on the platform other than the major stations every once in a while.
3
And why does this problem not exist on the Beijing Metro or the Bangkok Metro? It's not because people there little less. It's because there are plexiglas barriers that prevent litter (and people) from landing on the tracks. A door in the plexiglas opens when the train door opens. The problem in NYC is a result of a system that needs update.
3
The problem in NYC is not a result of a "system that needs an update," but a result of slobs who think that someone will clean up after them. Talk about entitlement! The dirtiest train station I know is Church Avenue, on the B and Q line. Lots of soda, beer, and water bottles, bags of take-out food, cigarette packs, candy wrappers, hats, you name it. Lots of shootings in that neighborhood too . . . .
2
Good, they can go to $1000 for all I care.
2
The key is enforcement. If that's not done, the increased fine is meaningless.
3
Instead of doubling fines for littering, they should ban eating in the subway. If other cities do it, then why can't NYC? I heard that it's a class thing to ban eating. Well, guess what, when the subway cannot run because of fire, then everyone is inconvenienced.
2
"It's a class thing."
Just the way congestion pricing is a class thing, and putting red-light cameras is a class thing. It's always a class thing.
If people are poor, they shouldn't be driving their SUVs into Manhattan. If people are poor and would have trouble paying a fine, then they shouldn't be speeding or running red lights. If people are poor, then they shouldn't litter.
No doubt middle-class and rich people drive into Manhattan and break laws too. But congestion pricing and red-light cameras are class- and color-blind. Blink! your license plate is photographed, and you're sent a bill. Period.
And tossing a coffee container onto the subway tracks is a slob thing to do no matter your class or color. But how to collect the fines from people who in all likelihood would cry police brutality?
Just the way congestion pricing is a class thing, and putting red-light cameras is a class thing. It's always a class thing.
If people are poor, they shouldn't be driving their SUVs into Manhattan. If people are poor and would have trouble paying a fine, then they shouldn't be speeding or running red lights. If people are poor, then they shouldn't litter.
No doubt middle-class and rich people drive into Manhattan and break laws too. But congestion pricing and red-light cameras are class- and color-blind. Blink! your license plate is photographed, and you're sent a bill. Period.
And tossing a coffee container onto the subway tracks is a slob thing to do no matter your class or color. But how to collect the fines from people who in all likelihood would cry police brutality?
2
An extra $50 will do NOTHING. Get serious, charge $1,000-$5,000.
2
I lament the loss of Eliot Spitzer thanks to an overly moralistic media since this incumbent is a total empty suit and panderer when it suits him. I dislike every aspect of the man and although I'm in his party, I never voted for him and believe he's completely incompetent and ineptly perverse. The MTA may be his waterloo.
2
Perhaps they can use some of the money collected in fines to purchase additional garbage cans. I've walked the entire length of some subway stations searching for one.
12
Good, and I hope this works. We all pay for the subway; we all deserve a relatively clean space.
12
If all of us riding the subway picked up trash (the un-gross kind) and tossed it on our way to the street, it would be a start. I try to do it when I can, and I always think of my uncle when I do.