Second Ave. Sagas
@2avesag.as
Subways, transit, NYC.
All posts by @benjaminkabak.com
All posts by @benjaminkabak.com
Some low-hanging fruit for the next administration would be to clean up sidewalk parking around precinct houses.
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Some low-hanging fruit for the next administration would be to clean up sidewalk parking around precinct houses.
DOT recently installed a bench on Bergen St near the 78th Precinct and now the cops can't park on a few feet of the sidewalk over there. If they're not going to stop this themselves, it's time to design our way out of it.
“The Police Department will continue to allow precinct commanders to ignore parking rules, refusing to implement one of the major placard abuse reforms recommended by city probers earlier this year, Streetsblog has learned.” — nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/25/e...
EXCLUSIVE: NYPD Rejects Ending 'Self-Enforcement' Scandal at Precinct Houses - Streetsblog New York City
Police brass are refusing to implement a major reform recommended by city probers earlier this year. And the agency won't say why.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
DOT recently installed a bench on Bergen St near the 78th Precinct and now the cops can't park on a few feet of the sidewalk over there. If they're not going to stop this themselves, it's time to design our way out of it.
The branching is very bad in the outer zones. The District line in particular has some pretty awful headways if you're not riding through Zone 1.
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The branching is very bad in the outer zones. The District line in particular has some pretty awful headways if you're not riding through Zone 1.
The Victoria Line, in particular, is a marvel.
November 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The Victoria Line, in particular, is a marvel.
Anyway, you can't really run trains with such aggressive headways at all hours of the day if every train is legally required to be staffed with 2 people. I hope Hochul declines to sign this bill.
abc7ny.com/post/governo...
abc7ny.com/post/governo...
Gov. Kathy Hochul to make decision on changes to subway crew staffing
For over a century in New York City, most subway trains have run with a two-person crew, an engineer and a conductor.
abc7ny.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Anyway, you can't really run trains with such aggressive headways at all hours of the day if every train is legally required to be staffed with 2 people. I hope Hochul declines to sign this bill.
abc7ny.com/post/governo...
abc7ny.com/post/governo...
Great news! Congrats.
November 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Great news! Congrats.
The automated lines it's quite literally every 3 minutes. Our friends had to refill their fare cards at one point, and we just waited it out without worrying about it at all.
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The automated lines it's quite literally every 3 minutes. Our friends had to refill their fare cards at one point, and we just waited it out without worrying about it at all.
It wasn't even <10 minutes. It's <5 other than very late at night. It's great.
November 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It wasn't even <10 minutes. It's <5 other than very late at night. It's great.
I would love someone to challenge me on this, but I have to say: It's just great not having to ever worry about missing a train because the next one is never more than 4 minutes away. It's a much more relaxing and seamless experience than off-peak transit in NYC.
November 25, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I would love someone to challenge me on this, but I have to say: It's just great not having to ever worry about missing a train because the next one is never more than 4 minutes away. It's a much more relaxing and seamless experience than off-peak transit in NYC.
Spending a week and a half in Paris and Madrid really drives home the point that the (American-ish) concept of a "one-seat ride" is overrated, and frequent headways at nearly all hours of the day is the true gold standard.
November 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Spending a week and a half in Paris and Madrid really drives home the point that the (American-ish) concept of a "one-seat ride" is overrated, and frequent headways at nearly all hours of the day is the true gold standard.
Ultimately, because airlines have made flying so physically uncomfortable, I'm a big "fly in clothes that make you the most comfortable" guy so long as that means no bare feet. This force toward some made-up version of "decorum" is designed to change the subject from the 30 inches of leg room.
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Ultimately, because airlines have made flying so physically uncomfortable, I'm a big "fly in clothes that make you the most comfortable" guy so long as that means no bare feet. This force toward some made-up version of "decorum" is designed to change the subject from the 30 inches of leg room.
The airlines literally give you slippers if you spend enough money on your ticket. Wear your damn slippers on a plane.
bsky.app/profile/atru...
bsky.app/profile/atru...
Duffy on his demand that air travelers not wear slippers or pajamas: "It honors our country ... don't take your shoes off and put your feet on the chair ahead of you"
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The airlines literally give you slippers if you spend enough money on your ticket. Wear your damn slippers on a plane.
bsky.app/profile/atru...
bsky.app/profile/atru...
I have a bunch of news to catch up on, but my favorite piece from the last few days is definitely this @davecolon.bsky.social joint in which he lets most of the people in Middle Village just hang themselves by quoting them directly.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/23/s...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/23/s...
NIMBY-Mania: Middle Village Has a Love-Hate Relationship with the IBX - Streetsblog New York City
The IBX light rail project is collecting out a loud group of critics — and a wellspring of support in central Queens.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I have a bunch of news to catch up on, but my favorite piece from the last few days is definitely this @davecolon.bsky.social joint in which he lets most of the people in Middle Village just hang themselves by quoting them directly.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/23/s...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/23/s...
Reposted by Second Ave. Sagas
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
November 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Along w long time frames, another problem is complacency of design for many capital projects that *are* done
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
9th Av was dug up for most of the 2010s. The project replaced the street as-is, rather than widen the built sidewalk (as *DOT did AFTER rebuild*) & providing a 100% curb-separated 🚲 lane
Anyway, on my flight back from Paris yesterday, everyone was dressed as they usually are on airplanes: comfortable casual. No one is listening to Secretary of MTV Reality Shows yammer on about dressing up for flights.
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Anyway, on my flight back from Paris yesterday, everyone was dressed as they usually are on airplanes: comfortable casual. No one is listening to Secretary of MTV Reality Shows yammer on about dressing up for flights.
"And mine?" What in the world?
Hilarious to sound this altruistic a few days after canceling the Biden Era rule that would have forced U.S. airlines to reimburse airline passengers for egregious delays.
Hilarious to sound this altruistic a few days after canceling the Biden Era rule that would have forced U.S. airlines to reimburse airline passengers for egregious delays.
Sean Duffy: "If you are delayed or canceled, know that it comes from a place of your safety and mine"
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
"And mine?" What in the world?
Hilarious to sound this altruistic a few days after canceling the Biden Era rule that would have forced U.S. airlines to reimburse airline passengers for egregious delays.
Hilarious to sound this altruistic a few days after canceling the Biden Era rule that would have forced U.S. airlines to reimburse airline passengers for egregious delays.
Reposted by Second Ave. Sagas
Ben is a fed now
November 24, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Ben is a fed now
Reposted by Second Ave. Sagas
NJ Senate President Nick Scutari claims Dems are "not in a position" to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow them to redraw the state's congressional map.
But Dems have supermajorities in both chambers & *gained* seats this month. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
But Dems have supermajorities in both chambers & *gained* seats this month. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
NJ Senate President Nick Scutari claims Dems are "not in a position" to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow them to redraw the state's congressional map.
But Dems have supermajorities in both chambers & *gained* seats this month. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
But Dems have supermajorities in both chambers & *gained* seats this month. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Second Ave. Sagas
This is notable
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
November 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This is notable
NEW: Sean Duffy frequently calls safety his “top priority” as transportation secretary. But I spent months wading through regulatory notices and found something far different: that USDOT has been delaying, weakening and killing dozens of safety rules, many opposed by the transportation industry.🧵
November 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Riding the 7 train which is purple so this is New York?
November 17, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Riding the 7 train which is purple so this is New York?
Nope. Completely coincidental that the NFL game is this weekend! We’re here for a trip for my wife’s 40th.
November 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Nope. Completely coincidental that the NFL game is this weekend! We’re here for a trip for my wife’s 40th.
I had no idea! We’re on the way back to our hotel after dinner.
November 14, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I had no idea! We’re on the way back to our hotel after dinner.
I just missed the train. The next one was 6 minutes away. It’s 12:30 a.m. Love these late-night frequencies.
November 14, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I just missed the train. The next one was 6 minutes away. It’s 12:30 a.m. Love these late-night frequencies.
Waiting for the 1 train but this looks different than usual.
November 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Waiting for the 1 train but this looks different than usual.