The New Yorker Takes On the #Manspreading Issue with a Brilliant Cartoon

January 9, 2015 at 12:10 pm

#Manspreading much? LOL. For the uninformed, “Manspreading,” is the term coined for this: when men take up excess space by sitting with their legs far apart in buses and trains (and this has long been a pet peeve for fellow riders, particularly women). Off late there has been a lot of discussions on this topic, which I suspect was what prompted this brilliant cartoon.

Image courtesy. The New Yorker, via Twitter

And here is the New York MTA campaign poster advising folks to keep their legs together:

Image courtesy: NY MTA

 

Job Alert: Special Projects Officer – Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) @ Washington, DC

December 21, 2014 at 5:11 pm

The Special Projects Officer will assist with the implementation of Metro’s approved Public Participation Plan (PPP) to improve two way communication to boost inclusiveness of the public for all major initiatives.   This position will develop communications plans as well as plan and host opportunities for riders, the public, community organizations, advocacy groups, and special interest groups to provide feedback on major service, capital projects, and policy initiatives under consideration at Metro.

This position will schedule, coordinate and track public activities and ensure outreach is conducted in the appropriate service areas.  Traditionally hard-to-reach populations must be engaged.  This position will also serve as a brand ambassador for Metro at a wide variety of events and meetings, which includes setting up events, giving presentations, taking surveys and other communication strategies.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter and well organized. Has experience working with community groups and non-profits; understands minority, ethnic and religious populations and possesses a high level of cultural sensitivity.  Candidate also has excellent presentation skills, is comfortable in front of large and small crowds and has the ability to simplify complex information based on the audience.  Additional preferences include bilingual, flexible work schedule (evenings, weekends, and early mornings), valid driver’s license and ability to lift 25lbs.

www.wmata.com/careers  JOB ID: 141282

Job Alert: Program Analyst – USDOT Federal Transit Administration (FTA) @ Washington, DC

December 18, 2014 at 6:32 pm

Image Courtesy: Breckfreeride.com

EXTERNAL CANDIDATES: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/389466100

This position is located in the Office of Program Management, Office of Transit Programs. The office is responsible for administering capital and operating financial assistance programs nationally in support of public transportation systems and other specialized transportation services. This office also oversees technical assistance activities in support of human service transportation. The selectee will be responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, and management of these transportation and technical assistance programs. The programs may include formula and discretionary programs to support urban and rural transportation services as well as targeted human services transportation initiatives.

Under supervision of the Chief, Division of Rural and Targeted Programs or the Chief, Division of Urbanized Area Programs, the selectee participates in the planning, development and implementation of policies, procedures, and technical processes for ongoing program development, implementation and monitoring.

The Ideal Candidate will have excellent communication skills and have the ability to provide specialized technical assistance to grantees, program managers, and senior staff to resolve problems and to ensure successful delivery of Federal funded programs. 

DUTIES:

As a Program Analyst, you will:

  • Work with FTA headquarters and regional staff on issues and tasks related to development and implementation of formula and discretionary grant programs and related program policies. These include program guidance, program apportionment, budget and obligation activity; monitoring of grant activity and project eligibility for various FTA programs; coordination of labor and grant development issues; program support and technical assistance to the regional offices and transit stakeholders, including the riding public; and development of strategic initiatives. The work may also involve evaluating changes to legislation, identifying program needs or issues, and recommending new guidance or policies to address changes in legislation or program issues. The work includes resolution of issues involving grantees, regional offices, State or local authorities and/or headquarters personnel.
  • Assist in development and provision of program guidance to FTA staff and grantees on grant programs such as Urbanized Area Formula Program, the Rural Area Formula program, targeted Human Services Transportation Formula Programs, and other discretionary or formula programs as needed. Track and coordinate information resources for assigned programs and develop or oversee the development of useful materials. Assist in outreach activities and both external and internal relationship development and networking associated with delegated programs.
  • Assist in identifying and developing outreach opportunities to share program information and foster collaboration between stakeholders; this may also include directing the activities of relevant technical assistance centers that support FTA’s grant programs.
  • Oversee, prepare reports, tables, and summaries on results of delegated programs, and prepare briefing material and information about the formula and/or discretionary programs for use by the Division Chief, Office Director, Deputy Associate and Associate Administrators for Program Management in making program and budget presentations and decisions. Provide grant information to headquarters program and regional offices. Is a member of committees that work to ensure effective management and oversight of FTA grant activities.
  • Assure assigned programs comply with pertinent legislation, regulations, and objectives and that program implementation are compatible with DOT and FTA’s environmental, social, economic goals and needs. Participate on discretionary program evaluation panels and help develop strategies and tactics for effective program evaluation and analysis activities for assigned programs.
  • Assure that delegated program information and guidance is adequately shared across an effective communication network of internal and external FTA stakeholders. Facilitate communications especially in providing technical assistance and assisting regions with delegated programs. Prepare, review and edit a variety of correspondence, memoranda, speeches, briefs, presentations, newsletters and other types of communication materials. Oversee and assess materials developed in support of the delegated programs and ensure effective review and approvals from other Department of Transportation officials as required. Present at conferences, support and may lead webinars, conference calls and other activities in support of assigned programs. Is cognizant of and communicates how DOT and FTA’s mission is enabled by assigned programs. May be assigned Congressional, General Accountability Office, Freedom of Information Act, Contact US and other controlled correspondence and important information requests.

Click the URL links below to learn more and to apply:

The best book to NOT read when riding public transportation is…

December 16, 2014 at 4:06 pm

Subtlety is not his game, I guess. Poor chap gets caught reading this book on the subway, while sitting next to a lady. It makes you wonder what was his “success rate” meeting women on subways after he finished reading this book. Guys like this are one reason why you can’t help but fall in love with public transportation, right? I bet you can never catch someone reading this in a car.

step 1: hide that book

A photo posted by Loni (@lonidee) on

Job Alert: Planner – Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Office of Planning) @ Washington, DC

December 10, 2014 at 5:39 pm

Metro’s Office of Planning is hiring a planner for its Regional Planning branch. The job description and information on how to apply can be found on the WMATA Careers page and the job code is 141283. The job will be open until 11:59pm on 12/24/14.

About the position:

The open position is within the Regional Planning (REGP) program area in Metro’s Office of Planning. The REGP program area focuses on developing and executing the Authority’s long-range regional transit system plan and advocating for Metro’s short and long-term infrastructure and operational needs at local, regional, and state levels, with an emphasis on ensuring integration of Metro’s plans across all the ongoing planning activities in the region. Planners in this position manage long-range planning projects, prepare technical reports/presentations, represent Metro at project stakeholder meetings, and analyze/recommend regional transit policy.  The successful candidate will possess extensive capabilities in regional planning, possess strong communications skills, and be able to represent Metro across the region. The applicant will be particularly skilled at translating highly technical information into written documents, graphics, and presentations that are easily digested by a wide range of audiences. Knowledge in the areas of regional transportation planning and forecasting, the metropolitan planning process, transit funding options and considerations, and project evaluation and alternatives analysis is strongly preferred.

Friday Fun – Vintage Cool Photos From London Underground Shows The Flavors of Life in the City during 1970s and 80s

July 26, 2013 at 5:00 pm

On The Telegraph’s website, you can check an awesome gallery of vintage cool photos from the London Underground, shot during the 1970s/80s.  The ones below  are a what struck me the most and it has a sense of class and crazy retro cool that is unmatched.

Transit systems and the people who rode them back in the day are always so nice to look at. It is like a glimpse of  the city’s colorful past, conveyed silently through the pictures of people who were on the trains. Makes it a bit more endearing knowing someone has put in some serious effort to document all this in an era when there were no smartphones with megapixel cameras and no Flickr accounts.

Click link above or the pic below to see the entire gallery.

Not wanting the party to end, a couple of ladies head home with their drinks. Image Courtesy: Bob Mazzer via The Telegraph

Not wanting the party to end, a couple of ladies head home with their drinks. Image Courtesy: Bob Mazzer via The Telegraph

Some strange things happening below the surface - Image Courtesy: Bob Mazzer via The Telegraph

Some strange things happening below the surface – Image Courtesy: Bob Mazzer via The Telegraph

Let’s show our support for Malcolm Kenton for his Millennial Trains Project (MTP)

June 29, 2013 at 11:05 pm
What is is about a train that makes people want to climb aboard? How did railroads help shape America as we know it, and what happened to the shape of America when cars and highways took their place as the primary movers of people? Can a passenger train revival help America weather unprecedented challenges to our way of life, allowing us to live both prosperously and sustainably in a hotter, more crowded, post-fossil fuel age?Our friend Malcolm Kenton, the Outreach Director of National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), hopes to take an exciting transcontinental train journey for innovative and civic-minded members of the Millennial generation, organized by the Millennial Trains Project (MTP). Over the course of this journey, Malcolm will seek answers to the above questions and will attempt to reawaken young Americans’ connection with our landscape as viewed through a train window, and with the people we meet as we travel. Learn more about Malcolm’s project at http://crowdhitch.millennialtrain.co/campaign/detail/1157.

The journey, to take place in mid-August, is being described as a “TED Talks on wheels,” bringing together a group of at least 40 young adults who each raise $5,000 from friends and family by July 1, along with special invited guests who will be both riding the train and speaking with the participants at stops along the way.

Each Millennial who raises $5,000 must produce something of lasting value as a result of his or her experience, and Malcolm’s product will be both a film and a photo essay that will draw connections between Americans’ historic and cultural ties with railroads and the need for revitalized railroads to be a part of our green future. Please pitch in to help make this work possible: go to http://crowdhitch.millennialtrain.co/campaign/detail/1157 and click “Support this campaign.”

The idea for MTP is inspired by the annual Jagriti Yatra (www.jagritiyatra.com) on the Indian Railways, a trip that circumnavigates the continent, is sponsored by Dell and Google, and is almost universally recognized by the younger generation of Indians as an enviable opportunity. MTP has already obtained sponsorships from National Geographic Traveler magazine, NPR, the Associated Press, McKinsey & Company, Opportunity Nation, and Start-Up America.

Best Transit Ride Ever! Improv Toronto Brings Aviation Style Hospitality To The Toronto Subway

February 27, 2013 at 3:21 pm

Here is something new.. Attendants on a subway train serving snacks and beverages? Yeah.. That’s what happened in Toronto’s subway.. This past Sunday, Improv Toronto decided to put a fun twist in an otherwise mundane ride on the city’s subway ride to make it memorable for the riders.  As they said on the website, “Our mission was simple, transform the old every day nature of riding the subway into a luxury flight experience, making it more a comfortable, enjoyable, and eventful ride.” So, off they went, equipped with snacks, drinks and blankets, our sharp looking flight subway attendants and captain tended to the riders on a Eastbound train on the Bloor Line.

Looking at the warm welcoming smiles on the riders’ faces, I wouldn’t be surprised if this stunt gets emulated globally much like the No Pants Subway Ride , another popular Improv stunt.  BTW, worn out Washington, DC Metro riders like me can sure get used to some TLC like this..

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The Paperman: Celebrating the Oscars..With a Story of Love and Trains!

February 25, 2013 at 12:08 am

As many of us predicted and wanted, Disney’s animation “The Paperman” won the Oscars tonight in the animated shortfilm category…

 

#WMATA Caught With Its Pants Down.. Pissed Off Customers Blow Steam on Twitter

January 30, 2013 at 7:28 pm

Just a couple of hours ago, the premier transit agency in the nation’s capitol (WMATA) suffered a serious service outage on one of the heavily traveled train lines (Green Line). The abrupt disruptions have left many commuters stranded without a way out of the Navy Yard (and Anacostia) area, a major hub for riders employed at many of the facilities, including the US Department of Transportation, situated in the vicinity.   Though it was an unexpected situation, #WMATA was a bit slow to respond and got customers ticked (to put it lightly). And the customers have already taken to using social media sharing pics. and tweets from the scene.  To WMATA’s credit, the communications team at the agency was trying its best to deal with the situation, which is a bit more heartening than how they did in similar situations in the past.  Here is a sample of what’s happening on Twitter as we speak :

WMATA GL Jan 30 Issue - Tweet Capture2

Heated Exchanges

A sample of  what’s happening at Twitter hashtag #WMATA

Looks like it is going to be a long night for all involved, esp. for the communications team at WMATA.  Hope they learn sooner than later to deal with/cool down their customers before they all start flocking to their personal automobiles to get around the town.