This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/nyregion/coronavirus-subways-spread-nyc.html
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Citi Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards: Anything but the Subway | Citi Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards: Anything but the Subway |
| (7 days later) | |
| Megan Scruggs isn’t comfortable taking the subway just yet. “It just really seems like a hotbed for the virus,” she said, conjuring the all-too-familiar scene of “people packed in each car like sardines.” | Megan Scruggs isn’t comfortable taking the subway just yet. “It just really seems like a hotbed for the virus,” she said, conjuring the all-too-familiar scene of “people packed in each car like sardines.” |
| So when Ms. Scruggs, 25 and an e-commerce store owner, wanted to leave the Upper East Side of Manhattan, her neighborhood, to attend a small garden party in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she got creative. | So when Ms. Scruggs, 25 and an e-commerce store owner, wanted to leave the Upper East Side of Manhattan, her neighborhood, to attend a small garden party in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she got creative. |
| First, she rented a Revel, the electric moped version of a Citi Bike. Because the moped is not allowed in tunnels or on bridges, Ms. Scruggs parked it in Alphabet City, the most downtown spot available at the time. | First, she rented a Revel, the electric moped version of a Citi Bike. Because the moped is not allowed in tunnels or on bridges, Ms. Scruggs parked it in Alphabet City, the most downtown spot available at the time. |
| Next, she walked more than a mile to South Street Seaport, boarded an NYC Ferry, and rode on top in the fresh air. Finally, she disembarked in North Williamsburg, where she picked up a to-go margarita and “walktailed” for about 20 minutes to the event. | Next, she walked more than a mile to South Street Seaport, boarded an NYC Ferry, and rode on top in the fresh air. Finally, she disembarked in North Williamsburg, where she picked up a to-go margarita and “walktailed” for about 20 minutes to the event. |
| The entire journey took two hours. “It was worth it,” said Ms. Scruggs, who took the car-share service Via home with her roommate. | The entire journey took two hours. “It was worth it,” said Ms. Scruggs, who took the car-share service Via home with her roommate. |
| Despite the fact that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is deep-cleaning its subways regularly and has increased service to help commuters social distance, many New Yorkers are still going to great lengths to avoid traveling underground. For them, what would normally be a quick subway trip has evolved into multiple forms of al fresco transit, especially when going between boroughs. And some are discovering unexpected benefits. | Despite the fact that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is deep-cleaning its subways regularly and has increased service to help commuters social distance, many New Yorkers are still going to great lengths to avoid traveling underground. For them, what would normally be a quick subway trip has evolved into multiple forms of al fresco transit, especially when going between boroughs. And some are discovering unexpected benefits. |
| “I tried Revel for the first time during the pandemic,” Ms. Scruggs said. “It was a lot of fun and supercool to see the city that way. In a car you’re normally on your phone, or underground on the subway.” | “I tried Revel for the first time during the pandemic,” Ms. Scruggs said. “It was a lot of fun and supercool to see the city that way. In a car you’re normally on your phone, or underground on the subway.” |
| For Christina Gnozzo, skateboarding and longboarding used to be a hobby when the weather was nice. But now that she is “playing it safe,” she said, it’s how she gets around. | For Christina Gnozzo, skateboarding and longboarding used to be a hobby when the weather was nice. But now that she is “playing it safe,” she said, it’s how she gets around. |
| “I’ve been skateboarding to run errands or to meet with friends,” said Ms. Gnozzo, 30, who runs a media company. She tends to stick to the East Village, where she lives, and close by neighborhoods. | “I’ve been skateboarding to run errands or to meet with friends,” said Ms. Gnozzo, 30, who runs a media company. She tends to stick to the East Village, where she lives, and close by neighborhoods. |
| Once, Ms. Gnozzo made it as far as Central Park. But last week, a longboard trip to the Financial District proved too taxing, so she walked once she got south of Houston Street, where the streets were mostly cracked and uneven. Later in the day, she ditched her board at a friend’s apartment and traveled to Williamsburg, using a Citi Bike for the first time. | Once, Ms. Gnozzo made it as far as Central Park. But last week, a longboard trip to the Financial District proved too taxing, so she walked once she got south of Houston Street, where the streets were mostly cracked and uneven. Later in the day, she ditched her board at a friend’s apartment and traveled to Williamsburg, using a Citi Bike for the first time. |
| Dr. Tony Voong, a dentist, also uses Citi Bike to commute from his home in Hell’s Kitchen to his second practice in Chinatown, twice a week. “I interact with patients, so I figure I should take care of myself and put myself in situations that would prevent getting Covid the most,” Dr. Voong, 29, said. “I haven’t taken the subway since March 23.” | Dr. Tony Voong, a dentist, also uses Citi Bike to commute from his home in Hell’s Kitchen to his second practice in Chinatown, twice a week. “I interact with patients, so I figure I should take care of myself and put myself in situations that would prevent getting Covid the most,” Dr. Voong, 29, said. “I haven’t taken the subway since March 23.” |
| The weather dictates his commute. If it’s nice outside, and he has time, he will bike. If he’s running late or it looks like he needs to beat the rain, the Revel moped it is. Occasionally he will take an Uber with the windows rolled down if it’s raining hard, or if it’s dark outside. | The weather dictates his commute. If it’s nice outside, and he has time, he will bike. If he’s running late or it looks like he needs to beat the rain, the Revel moped it is. Occasionally he will take an Uber with the windows rolled down if it’s raining hard, or if it’s dark outside. |
| Dr. Voong would like to stick to his new routine after the pandemic ends, he said. “I think I’ve become so accustomed to not riding the subway it’s become my way of life,” he explained. | Dr. Voong would like to stick to his new routine after the pandemic ends, he said. “I think I’ve become so accustomed to not riding the subway it’s become my way of life,” he explained. |
| Updated August 12, 2020 | |
| But unlike Ms. Scruggs, he has his limits, only going to places he can get to using one set of wheels in one straight shot. “I think if I had to change from one mode of transportation to another I wouldn’t go,” he said. “I have a very one-track mind.” | But unlike Ms. Scruggs, he has his limits, only going to places he can get to using one set of wheels in one straight shot. “I think if I had to change from one mode of transportation to another I wouldn’t go,” he said. “I have a very one-track mind.” |
| Leonela Paula has been traveling so far above ground, she’s had to switch out her Citi Bikes, each one of which can only be ridden for 30 minutes or else an extra fee is charged. | Leonela Paula has been traveling so far above ground, she’s had to switch out her Citi Bikes, each one of which can only be ridden for 30 minutes or else an extra fee is charged. |
| She only meets friends in places that they both can access through walking and biking. | She only meets friends in places that they both can access through walking and biking. |
| “I’ve been trying to incorporate more cardio into my life,” Ms. Paula said. But for her, biking is a short term solution. “I can only ride until October, because past that it will be too cold,” she said. “The thought of winter is very scary.” | “I’ve been trying to incorporate more cardio into my life,” Ms. Paula said. But for her, biking is a short term solution. “I can only ride until October, because past that it will be too cold,” she said. “The thought of winter is very scary.” |
| But riders should not be so scared, said Maria Andrade, who has been riding the 4, 5, 6 and 7 subway lines throughout the pandemic. “I’ve never seen the subway cars this clean in my life,” said Ms. Andrade, a 50-year-old project manager. “The subway is closed for deep cleaning overnight and obviously since ridership is not at its peak there is less garbage left behind.” | But riders should not be so scared, said Maria Andrade, who has been riding the 4, 5, 6 and 7 subway lines throughout the pandemic. “I’ve never seen the subway cars this clean in my life,” said Ms. Andrade, a 50-year-old project manager. “The subway is closed for deep cleaning overnight and obviously since ridership is not at its peak there is less garbage left behind.” |
| Jamal Mark, 19, a sophomore at Queens College, is also doing just fine using public transportation. Three days a week, he takes the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica, Queens, to Pennsylvania Station to work at the Whole Foods Market in Chelsea. | Jamal Mark, 19, a sophomore at Queens College, is also doing just fine using public transportation. Three days a week, he takes the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica, Queens, to Pennsylvania Station to work at the Whole Foods Market in Chelsea. |
| “I like the Long Island Rail Road because there is low ridership, it is quick, and it is air-conditioned,” he said. “I am also comfortable with the bus because it is above ground, and M.T.A. takes care of their buses.” | “I like the Long Island Rail Road because there is low ridership, it is quick, and it is air-conditioned,” he said. “I am also comfortable with the bus because it is above ground, and M.T.A. takes care of their buses.” |
| Mr. Mark rides the NYC Ferry too, but purely for fun. On his days off he’ll travel from Far Rockaway, Queens, to Soundview, in the Bronx, taking in the views and perfecting his photography and videography skills. “It is perfect,” he said, “for the hot summer weather.” | Mr. Mark rides the NYC Ferry too, but purely for fun. On his days off he’ll travel from Far Rockaway, Queens, to Soundview, in the Bronx, taking in the views and perfecting his photography and videography skills. “It is perfect,” he said, “for the hot summer weather.” |