BY ANTHONY O’REILLY
The amount of lost items being found on subways and buses is on the rise, according to the MTA’s website.
In 2012, MTA workers took in 24,445 lost items, up from 23,223 in 2011. The amount of items being returned to their original owners however has also increased, with 8,093 items being returned in 2012, up from 7,438 in 2011.
William Bonner, supervisor of NYC transit’s lost property unit, credited the increased number of returns to the electronic lost and found form, which can be found on the MTA’s website.
If and when filling out a form, Bonner says to be as specific as possible. “Being as specific and detailed as you can in your description is key to the attempt to reunite you with your lost item,” he said.
Bonner said electronics such as Kindles, NOOKs, iPads, and smartphones are found daily on the subway and top the list of lost items.
One of the more unusual items being found are empty animal crates, according to Bonner.
“Seems like people are taking the animals out and then walking off leaving the carrier under the seat,” he said. No animals have been found as of yet.
Bonner said a woman once lost her ring on the N-train and filled out the form on the MTA’s website, even providing a picture, and after a short time was able to reclaim it.
“That was a really happy ending,” Bonner said.
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