Where is the boatload of tax money New York City takes in going?
That's likely the main question on the minds of Gotham's citizens this week after the NY Post revealed in a report the latest "feature" of riding the prestigious MTA public transit: there appears to be zip ties holding together subway tracks.
While illegal migrants are being treated to stays in four star hotels in Midtown, it appears NYC citizens riding the train at the Rockaway Boulevard A train station in Ozone Park are footing the bill. They have been left asking if the tracks of the subway they have been riding are barely holding on for dear life.
Nursing student Kayle Persaud asked the NY Post: “Should I be worried? If I cut one zip tie, does it start to fall?”
Photos of the zip ties were first published by AMNY:
Another subway rider told the Post: “The first time I saw it I thought, ‘Hmm… Is it holding the tracks together?'Even the screws look like they’re not all the way in.”
A third rider added: “Even if it’s not actually holding the track together, it just looks awful. They could have cut it off or painted it the same color. I hope it’s not holding the tracks together for all the money we pay to travel on the subway.”
Zip ties on wooden railroad ties are used to prevent splintering and falling debris, according to a track worker and the MTA. MTA officials stated they mark areas needing future repair and are not a safety concern.
However, the MTA's announcement to halt capital projects following Governor Kathy Hochul's delay of the congestion pricing plan has worried commuters. The congestion pricing was expected to generate $1 billion for $15 billion in improvements. Some commuters criticized the use of zip ties, calling them a "ridiculous" look.
"Hopefully, it’s just a sign of laziness," said New Yorker Rose Mohammed. “We’re supposed to be the greatest city in the world, and we have zip ties around our tracks?”
MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said: “When inspectors find certain issues, they use ties for temporary protection and to identify locations where following repair crews will make more permanent repairs."