I’ve been playing on NYC Subway lately. The site is too extensive to sum up in a few paragraphs. Let’s just say you have to check it out for yourselves. There are exterior and interior shots of historic subway cars, abandoned stations, old tokens, you name it. If you ever wanted to know everything there is to know about the NYC Subway system, here it is. And if that’s not enough, there are several links to other sites.
My memories only date back to the early 70’s (maybe a little late 60’s). I remember the large tokens with a cut out Y, colorful graffiti covered trains, absolutely NO air conditioning(!) and even a few wicker seat cars leftover from earlier days. And a ride was 35 cents.
Oh yes, my father worked for the Transit Authority and to this day my mother holds a grudge against Ed Koch for the transit strike. I didn’t pay much attention. I was too interested in Starsky and Hutch at the time.
What are your earliest subway memories? Bet you’re not as old as I am!
6 Comments
Heavy wood turnstiles, ceiling fans, thin tokens the size of a dime and smoking on the platforms.
I remember the cane seats and ceiling fans on the subway. I grew up in Rosedale in a 2 fare zone and called Manhattan the city.
My husband and I met at the NYCTA. I was their first paralegal and he was an attorney in the Brooklyn unit. I sexually harassed him and then he married me.
I bet I’m older than you.-P
Guardian Angels!
Ooh, so much I forgot! The smoking is a memory I blocked out, I guess.
Well if you remember the cane seats on all lines, then you probably are older than me. 😉 I just remember a couple of leftover trains.
The Guardian Angels! How could I forget?
I’m old enough to remember (just barely) when there were change booths, instead of token booths and you used a dime in the turnstyle. Of course, by the time I was allowed to use the subway on my own the small, dime-size tokens that cost 15¢ were in use.
I remember when it cost 5 cents. I’m older than all of you!