Community surveys put out by WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Office of State Sen. Bill Perkins show that large majorities of subway-riding residents in Upper Manhattan think the subway rat problem is out of control. Citizens made that clear again on January 6, as they eagerly snapped up flyers and signed petitions carried by WE ACT activists and TWU Local 100 Shop Stewards and volunteers outside the entrance to the #1 line at 181st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. Also on hand were Sen. Perkins and local City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez.
Local 100’s large inflatable subway rat set the stage for the action, which ran from 4 to 6PM. Media coverage was solid, with NY1 running a report that promoted the Union’s new website, www.ratfreesubways.com. Within hours, six New Yorkers with their own “rat tales” had sent them over to us via the site. And others are uploading their favorite pictures of subway rats.
As one passerby remarked when he received a flyer, “I don’t believe that the MTA can’t get rid of the rats. There has to be a way.” What’s harder to kill than a subway rat? Community anger about how the MTA is not doing enough to stop the infestation. There are signs that the MTA is listening. In this year’s budget, an additional $1.6 million has been allocated for two more refuse removal trains. That helps but is clearly not enough. The solution must involve better strategies for rat proofing stations, more refuse trains, and the hiring of additional cleaners.
For more info: www.ratfreesubways.com.
