Guest Blogger: Marianne

I didn’t see something…

……namely the two cops standing behind the gate in the attached photo who slammed me with a $100 fine for fair evasion. The letter is a polite version of the accounts. ;-)

January 28, 2010

Transit Adjudication Bureau

29 Gallatin Place, 3^rd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Re: Violation  Your Honor:  

I am writing to request a hearing by mail with regard to Violation No. [xxx] which I received for unintentionally avoiding MTA payment at the Columbus Circle 59^th St. subway station.

At 11:55 PM on January 19, 2010, I mistakenly walked through the gate because it appeared to me that the turnstiles were closed due to construction. The attached photograph is what I saw as I entered the station.  The temporary fencing and cones led me to believe that the turnstiles were inaccessible and that the gate was propped open to allow for passenger entry and exit. Having previously experienced fares being waived due to construction or malfunctioning machines, I assumed this was the case here.

As a frequent user of the MTA, I have an unlimited monthly MetroCard and I have included my card that expired on January 25, 2010. I was using it on January 19.  As the cost of the card remains the same no matter how many times I use it, I have nothing to gain by avoiding fare payment.

Given these facts, I am requesting that the $100 fine for this violation be waived.

Respectfully submitted,

—-

Sorry Marianne!  That really sucks.  This entrance looks like a well-baited trap: the turnstiles are totally blocked off and the exit door is swung out and HELD open, as if to say “come here little girl…. do not concern yourself with swiping your monthly metrocard in those dysfunctional turnstiles where the giant cones and missing slabs of concrete make it look unwelcoming… come here instead.  Through this inviting door that will make your entrance into the horrid subway system that much easier…”

Of all the places (a site under construction near the entrance) and all the times (midnight, seriously?) it pisses me off that the MTA cops would inconvenience a rider, especially in this situation.  I can understand enforcement in high traffic areas where there is clearly a violation, but this is kind of retarded.  I see people in my stop (110th/central park west - B/C) hop the turnstile right in front of the lazy (often fat) person sitting in the ticket booth looking at their phone or reading a book.  I get pissed when that happens - if you HOP a turnstile you are very clearly breaking the rule.  But in Marianne’s case, this situation is obviously not her fault.  And why is that door held wide open anyway??