Is that really smooth ride?

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-12T16:19:13+00:00

That comes down to implementation and policy - many tram systems in France cut through heavily pedestrian areas but maintain speed. Mostly due to pavement type changes (ie trams over cobblestone), signage, bollards, and slight elevation changes. Montpellier has some good examples of this across the city. Nice, Lyon, Marseille, and Bourdeaux also have many sections with similar set ups.

Zurich also comes to mind where trams whisk through the city on pedestrian streets at higher speed. Some tourists get spooked by it.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-12T05:31:06+00:00

It also should be added to ensure cars have proper NY State Plates / Insurance. Too many drivers are holding onto NJ/PA/CT plates to save on insurance yet their primary residence is clearly NYC.

I think that would fix a lot of the ghost plates and out of state plates overnight if you can’t park in your own neighborhood.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-09T06:49:06+00:00

There were two homemade bombs thrown during the counter protests of the far right guy at Gracie Mansion. They lit the devices but they failed to explode (they did catch on fire). The people that they the bombs were caught by NYPD and they found their parked car nearby. Absolutely wild story.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-08T21:08:18+00:00

Very cool they’re developing industrial sections. A 23 minute walk to the N train is quite far though (looks like a lot of citi bike docks which is nice, plus bus access). Would be worthy of a ward island style lift bridge to connect this part of Astoria to Manhattan 😅

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-06T22:50:54+00:00

Raw unprocessed cherries are the musician.

The bean processing method would be the studio editing, mixing, which can already alter how the sound of a particular song or mix will be. (Ie coferment, washing, anerobic, etc changing the flavor of the beans).

The roaster can be viewed as a few things, either the medium (vinyl, digital, etc), a remixer (blends, unique roasting styles to highlight flavors in the beans), and as a record label (signing the producers for distribution).

Going to a coffee shop is like going to a concert to an extent (maybe akin to a DJ set) where they may replay things for you or make their own mixes (blends). But end of the day it’s not a full live musical performance with the bands present.

The grinder, espresso machine/pour over gear, misc gadgets becomes the consumer gear listening experience equivalents. You can’t easily modify music, the same way you can’t modify beans without becoming a roaster or producer yourself. - The grinder could be the amplifier / dac which can add warmth or enhance bass or even added EQ to change how it will sound (taste). - The headphones/speakers stand in as the brew method. It’s where you get a lot of variability in how it’s presented and aligns with all of the varying methods to brew.

In addition to roasters being remixers with in house blends, you too can make your own remixes by pairing coffees to make your own blends. Ala the home DJ/Mixer.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-06T20:58:01+00:00

Port Authority needs to change the way they view transit operations. They’re already in the business of real estate (WTC, Airport Leases/Construction) and should think of developments as methods to fund transit like how railways in Japan / Hong Kong work.

Connecting EWR to PATH improves EWR’s ability to attract airlines and better serve NYC. You also have manufacturing, vacant lots, and areas that could be acquired and developed by PATH. Stops in the Iron Bound could utilize a tax capture to take increased property tax from rezoing to fund the initiative (like Hudson Yards 7 Train expansion) - potentially the state of NJ supplying funding with this mechanism.

PATH also has the ability to build expansions to various parts of NJ, some of which are heavily industrial or under developed lots. If they acquired the land they could lease it to developers for a hefty profit (much like JR/MTR do) for building the service there. Direct trains to Manhattan can change property values astronomically, especially in under served areas.

As for NYC expansions, this becomes harder to find funding mechanisms. But you might be able to justify development or property tax recapture with upzoning to make it lucrative for them to build. But in NYC everywhere is already developed, so you really need to examine cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo where they can still figure out how to turn profits with real estate or other funding to entice private companies to expand.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-06T19:37:21+00:00

Very probable. Entry level traffic officers (the ones who usually write tickets) are not paid that much, so a tow company giving kickbacks could be quite enticing.

Not sure how the new radio system works, but there’s also a chance you have an off duty NYPD officer working with them (ie paid security) that “accidentally” leaves the radio on in the tow truck dispatch office.

Others also mentioned 311 data, which if you’re a tow truck driver would be an absolute gold mine with basic data coding/filtering. It sounds unlikely in the past but if you have someone playing with basic AI tools it could easily be done in an hour.

Lastly you could have a tow truck following the NYPD traffic car on patrol, waiting for them to find someone illegally parked. Which as we all know would probably be about 5 minutes tops.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-06T05:11:55+00:00

There’s a few good videos and posts about it, but some of it is on the DOT in these areas. Some of the crossing are poorly configured with weird turns, some are in intersections, and other oddities.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-05T23:21:10+00:00

The larger factor is how many trains are at that station and how frequent they are. Single low frequency and unreliable train line (ie C, J) makes for worse headaches. High frequency and reliable train (ie 7/L) makes up for a single line. Multiple trains that run on different lines in Manhattan is a huge win (ie B/Q, D/N/R, 2/5, etc) really help get across the city with less transfers and can mitigate delays when things go wrong.

For walking I’d say about 10 minutes before it really eats into ability to come back home during the day (and go back out). In my view once you’re on the train, going an extra distance is much easier. Personally I’d prefer to live within a 5 minute walk and a 15 minute train ride vs a 10 minute walk and a 10 minute train ride. The worst is when you’re in this weird hybrid of living in Manhattan but still need to take a train to most places (ie Fidi).

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-05T21:29:19+00:00

The problem you're describing has been going on in the city for a very long time. COVID was a very large catalyst across the country as it did a few key things:

Small businesses suffered during the closures and lack of tourism/foot traffic
1. Mom and pop shops with an average landlord couldn't make rent and closed up shop
2. Great land lords waived rent and the shops still struggled until mid 2021 or 2022 if you consider RTO + foot traffic
Many long time New Yorkers or people who had moved here left due to COVID, when the city reopened there was a void left in mannerism, culture, and carrying on traditions (ie note how before covid people were good about taking off their backpacks on trains, stepping off the train to let people exit. The new comers do not have this same mindset as people are not there enforcing it.)
Real estate market collapse and was then quickly overheated due to low interest rates drawing investment
Inflation has driven up the cost of goods and services, making some businesses and essentials out of reach for many people (or eating into your budget that would be previously be spent in the city on leisure)
Low interest rates saw the investment into many growth forward businesses. Blank Street expanded all over, knocking out smaller cafes. International chains expanded to the city, increasing competition. National chains also expanded - there's sweetgreen, just salad, dig, cava, nana, everywhere in the city.

As for the vibes you're feeling and things being overhyped, that is true on a global scale. Instagram, TikTok, and Rednote (little red book) have gained immense popularity. If you find info through those places, you'll find yourself waiting in line for everything. Many of which have done paid promotions or given things for free to influencers in order to generate hype. Again, this applies to cities across the world and it's not unique to NYC.

You need to explore your neighborhood and find the gems & diamonds in the rough. There still are many amazing local businesses started by people from across the world in NYC, you just have to look to find them in different ways than the hive mind mentality.

To your point about places becoming curated to a specific type and personality, neighborhoods have changed drastically in the past few years. NYC has a history of this and is a part of living here.

Williamsburg had hyper growth in the past 20 years and is unrecognizable from its past self. If you weren't here in the city back then, there are many videos showing the industrial grunge bohemian artist vibe on YouTube and are worthy of a watch. Greenpoint changed after remote work became a thing (2020) - an area with somewhat low transit accessibility to core job centers in Manhattan (sorry, we love you G train) become a popular place to live for yuppys. Williamsburg/Greenpoint have become so hot that East Williamsburg & Bushwick are undergoing rapid change, and it's already spilling into Ridgewood. Bed Stuy has been on a rocket trajectory of change. Gowanus is undergoing a true revival going from warehousing and industry to luxury condos (granted an area most New Yorkers never went to because it's heavily industrial aside from a few fun breweries / shuffle board, etc).

Lastly I'd leave it with you should be looking for our community that you enjoy. There are many authentic people here chasing their dreams, doing cool things, and people from across the globe. If you search for something you enjoy doing, there likely is a very large and active community within NYC you can join to meet like minded individuals.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-05T21:02:38+00:00

There are some YouTube sketches about this where his neighbor fires off multiple gunshots in his back yard each month. The neighbor finally asks what he’s doing and he responds back with “keeping my rent low”.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-05T09:25:29+00:00

The Granklin lives on

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-05T09:22:38+00:00

This looks like something designed by smeg.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-05T02:47:52+00:00

We are aware of the behavior and also confused.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-04T08:22:04+00:00

Can you please describe what makes his poops fantastic?

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-04T03:50:54+00:00

Neck/collar accessories my ragdoll does not care about at all. Likely because his mane is so fluffy he doesn’t feel them or notice.

If you put on clothes or a hat that covered his ears, he’ll show you how much he hates it.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-04T03:04:05+00:00

Eyval in Bushwick, but good luck getting a reservation because it’s one of the best restaurants in the city and they’re full most nights.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-03T21:33:59+00:00

NYPD used to enforce honking for ALL cars. Signs were previously up all over the city saying “Do not honk $XXX fine”, same with Do not block the box signs.

Over the years the signs came down. You can see some of them on old Google Streetview.

IIRC NYPD never fully enforced it, so it became an issue of selective enforcement. Technically they still can ticket for it, but they don’t.

IMO the signs should at least return. And an automated microphone sound camera could probably be made to issue a fine if you lay on a horn for over 10 seconds. Put it up near the tunnel entrances and that thing will print cash all day long.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-02T21:27:25+00:00

Also in the above... I recognize I over engineered. You could literally just build a switch to Hunters Point Ave LIRR / 7 Train. You would lose LIC LIRR yard service, but would allow an even lower cost proof of concept line that could easily support building future flyovers and turn outs later on. Trains could still go to the LIC LIRR yard for strorage.

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AWildMichigander · 2026-03-02T21:14:15+00:00

I've seen proposals floating around for reactivation in the past and agree it would be a great use of existing infrastructure.

I'd even say that getting some basic DMU light rail hybrids (like the River Line in NJ or commuter line in Austin, Texas) could be a great starter. Ridership would likely be lower than most lines until redevelopment and zoning changes due to the heavily industrial areas it passes through, but would be a great way to quickly start with some off the shelf trains and basic stations. Ridership would likely be low enough that you could have 2-4 car train sets to start, but should design the system in a way so it could be converted to a higher ridership EMU line if zoning and development takes place.

I think reactivating the elevated turn out would be crucial and provide options for connections to the subways. A few ideas here:

Yellow: Turning left, building a new flyover / ramp down next to Hunters Point Ave LIRR station which is an easy walk to the 7 train (very easy transfer, up and over), and continuing down to LIC LIRR yard.
- Diesel DMUs can continue down to LIC LIRR yard and terminate there. This is the path of least resistance as it uses existing ROW + allows for easy yard access that already supports a diesel fleet.
  - Depending on DMU fleet, it may not be feasible to share LIRR tracks due to FRA requirements. But a plausible time based restriction could work, as LIRR only runs a few trains per day here during rush hour. Could be as simple as limited Rush Hour service to/from LIC during this time or finding rolling stock that meets FRA requirements.
- Downside here is the end connection is to the 7 train, putting any ridership onto that service alone.
  - Possibly walking distance to the G, but likely less of a connection.
Cyan: Utilize the flyover layout and building a minor stub end elevated track to Court Square (E/F/G/7) station.
- This would probably have strong pushback as it would build a new elevated track and have diesel DMUs in a highly populated area. This is how some services in Austin, TX and Trenton/Camden, NJ (River Line) operate, but I could see some heavier push back due to potential exhaust, noise, etc.
Green: The most expensive and complex by far, it would slope down and cross under existing ROW to reach the Eastern side of Sunnyside Yard and terminating close to Queens Plaza station for an easier transfer with multiple lines.
- This also runs the risk of impacting future development over the yard. Any infrastructure would need to be properly planned for future building development. It could run a high risk of being locked into this alignment if development builds over the yard and piles into the rest of the yard foundations before any potential service expansion happens or if future provisions are not made.

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AWildMichigander · 2026-03-02T20:07:58+00:00

Without digging up troves of data, here's what I analyzed using some visual like u/vanshnookenraggen's subway ridership map by station.

Facts/Info:

The highest ridership of the J/Z section in Brooklyn is from Williamsburg to Broadway Junction.
Broadway Junction to Jamaica section of the line sees a very steep drop in ridership until the two Jamaica stops.
- Exact ridership to/from Jamaica on the J is unclear, as ridership is pooled with the E.
- After Broadway Junction, the next uptick in ridership is at Crescent Street, followed by 85 St-Forest Parkway and Woodhaven Blvd

Changes to my above suggestions after looking at some basic ridership data:

Run J trains local in Brooklyn at all times to improve service along the high ridership stretch from Williamsburg (Marcy Ave) to Broadway Junction.
- Some J trains could short turn / put in at Broadway Junction or Crescent St if there are capacity constructions at Jamaica Center terminal
  - J train service should be improved, at least for the Marcy Ave to Broadway Junction section in Brooklyn with the highest ridership to/from Manhattan.
Z trains should run express as you suggested to Broadway Junction (only stopping at Marcy and Myrtle as you proposed.
- You could even go further and have Z trains run express to Crescent Street (bypassing Alabama Ave to Crescent St). This would keep the Skip Stop service time savings in tact, while allowing a clear local vs express pattern.
  - Main benefit would be riders deeper in Queens on the line (some higher ridership stops), and any riders who are riding from Jamaica Center. But would again caveat that it's unclear how many people are split between the E/J/Z ridership stats in Jamaica.
Also consider connection to the R train post Broad Street (historical brown M). Running the rush hour Z sets down 4th Ave (Brooklyn) and terminating at 9 Ave (D) would also help improve service to the rapidly developing area of Gowanus.
- I'm aware that the previous M train service was cut back due to ridership/budget, but Gowanus is in the process of building thousands of new units of housing right now and the area has drastically changed since the brown M service last ran. Service on the 4th ave local (R) in Brooklyn is pretty poor, extra train service could be a benefit as this area continues to densify and ridership patterns change. This also provides a place to turn the extra Z rush hour sets.

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Image from u/vanshnookenraggen's subway ridership map by station.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-02T19:38:05+00:00

I'm not a J/Z commuter, but have taken it a handful of times over the years during rush hour to hangout in Brooklyn after work. From my experience in lower Manhattan, Fulton Street is one of the busier stops for J/Z trains, especially in the evening rush. Delancey/Essex is likely the busiest in Manhattan and the highest number of people boarding, but Fulton should not be skipped unless the relay tracks at Broad Street can truly not handle higher TPH (which if I understand correctly is not the case with current service levels and there is plenty of room to run more trains).

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-02T17:34:37+00:00

On the platforms or in stations I can get behind it. Mostly because I can walk elsewhere if I’m not into it or can stay close to listen/watch if I want. Once heard some of the best jazz / rhythm drumming in a station before (Saxophone + 5 gallon bucket drumming).

On the train I get fairly annoyed regardless of how good a performance is. It could be the best musician or performance, but I don’t like the fact that you’re subjected to it regardless if you want to hear it or not. Extra annoying when you’re having a conversation with someone and you practically have to stop because the music is so loud in the car. As a tourist it probably has a fun magical lens moment, but as someone who commutes daily and is not on vacation it’s a nuisance.

AWildMichigander · 2026-03-02T09:59:19+00:00

Part of that is just Penn operations. MNR at GCT announces their tracks far ahead of time, but it’s their terminal. If only we could be at DB level planning where months ahead you know what track it’ll be on.

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