Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I recently watched the “classic” Thanksgiving film, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. As you read this week’s 2xParked, you might find yourself in a similar situation as the movie’s protagonist, Neal Page. Page, played by the sometimes-funny Steve Martin, needed to leave NYC on Tuesday to be home in Chicago by Thanksgiving. With so much uncertainty due to Covid19, you might also be unsure of your Thanksgiving location even as late as today.
If, like Page, you decide to go home to Chicago from New York, I checked Kayak.com for the potential cost. In the movie, Page was carrying around $700 cash in his wallet, which is nearly the exact amount you would need for a plane ticket ($119), train ticket ($144), and rental car ($434) from New York City to Chicago by Thanksgiving. Go figure.
I imagine that many of you are listening to the CDC guidelines, and the only traveling you will do is via subway. For this reason, I decided it was the perfect time for 2xParked to release its “2xParked Subway Rankings”.
2020 2xParked Subway Rankings
New Yorkers love to hate our metro system. If you do not love hating it, you have not earned your New York City stripes. Our hatred is not always justified (we can get around much of the city at almost any time we want at a price of $2.75), but our love of hating it can not be denied. We all have a story which exemplifies the worst of the system, so today, 2xParked will quantify the good and bad of our system for the purpose of ranking the trains.
I have gathered publicly available data to make these rankings, from subway on-time performance to locations of city restaurants. I have condensed it all into three simple measures, on a 1-100 scale:
Desirability Score: Does the subway line get us where we want to go? This includes the ability to reasonably transport to key landmarks, entertainment venues, and restaurants.
Mobility Score: Does the subway line allow us to get around the city? While the Desirability Score is about quality, the Mobility Score is about quantity. This includes the ability to transfer to other lines, to get around different boroughs, and to take us to other non-subway transit stations.
Ride Score: Will we notice the ride? A good subway ride is a forgotten part of our story, and that is the way New Yorkers want it. If the subway is late, dirty, or unreliable, then we notice, and that is a bad thing.
I acknowledge there are some key parts of the rankings missing. For example, handicap accessibility will be added to next year’s rankings. Additionally, this is from a holistic perspective, which means that if you never plan on leaving Brooklyn, the G and L trains become all important.
Do you agree with my rankings? Tweet at me @2xParked with your thoughts!
MayorModel
The MTA is always a hot topic for city residents, and we will see how the mayoral candidates handle the subject on the campaign trail. Social reform and the virus have taken over the conversation (the candidates minimally mention the MTA or subways on their websites), but it was not long ago when all New Yorkers were talking exclusively about the system. Although the State runs the MTA, it does not mean a strong mayor can not be a voice for us up in Albany.
Below are the latest mayor predictions from the MayorModel. They do not vary much from last week:
I should note that this year rank-choice comes into play, eliminating the 40% rule. (Here is a good explanation of Rank Choice voting from City & State). Presently, 96% of my simulations will require rank choice. That will decrease once candidates start separating themselves or dropping out. Regardless, it is time to start studying up before you hit the voting booths!
"Subway" was drawn by Ink&thyme, drawing life's unforgettable moments. For unique art drawn just for you, check them out on Facebook and on Instagram.
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Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Email me at 2xParked@gmail.com.