There are many ways the Metropolitan Transportation Authority could reduce garbage in subways.
Why not install separate cans for recycling newspapers, plastic and glass along with regular garbage. Selling advertising on the side of cans could generate revenue to help cover the costs of more frequent off-peak and late night collection and disposal. Ask the Department of Sanitation to do the same on the street adjacent to subway entrances.
There are also solutions to dealing with waiting for or riding the subway and having the “urge to go.” The odds of finding a working bathroom for “relief” may be too slim. Until the early 1960s, most subway stations had clean, safe, working bathrooms with toilet paper. Revenues generated from a 10 cent fee helped cover the costs.
Why not consider charging a fee between 25 cents and a dollar? That would generate revenues to assign a matron, along with covering security and maintenance costs. This could help provide clean, safe, secure, fully-equipped bathrooms at most of the 465 subway stations. Many riders would gladly pay this small price to insure working bathrooms, rather than face the current, unpleasant alternatives which contribute to dirty subways.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
