Ms. Subways Leads Safety and Courtesy Campaign

MTA New York City Transit has introduced several new television Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to support a new safety and courtesy campaign featuring Ms. Subways 2004, Caroline Sanchez-Bernat. The campaign reminds riders that "Subway Riding Is Not a Sport."

Ms. Subway says 'You won't get a standing ovation for occupying two seats. Please be considerate and make room for your fellow passengers.'

In the first two installments of the campaign, which focused on safety, Ms. Subways drew attention to the dangerous practices of littering and pushing. Basketball players from the NYC Transit's men's and women's squads parodied the improper disposal of trash on the tracks. Ms. Subway said, "you don't score points for throwing trash on the tracks." She added, "throw your trash in the bin for a win." Litter on the tracks causes track fires, which causes delays and attracts the rats.

The track team from Transit Tech High School helped Ms. Subways illustrate why riders should avoid running down stairs or escalators. The "Start your trip without a slip," is also posted on subway cars systemwide as part of the "Courtesy is contagious. Let it start with you," campaign.

The sports theme is carried out in the courtesy element of the campaign as well. Ms. Subways blew the whistle on "door blocking" and "pole hugging."

"I believe it is important to follow safety guidelines and be courteous on the subways because riders are all in such close, tight quarters and the chance of aggravation is much greater, said Ms. Subways. "Courtesy eases personal interactions and generally makes the daily commute more enjoyable. It's contagious, haven't you heard?"

"I admire Ms. Subways' passion for safety within the subway," said NYC Transit President Lawrence G. Reuter. "I hope these public service announcements will remind our riders to take her advice to heart."

After a hiatus of almost 30 years, the Ms. Subways program was brought back as part of the Subway's Centennial celebration. Caroline Sanchez-Bernat was chosen from among thousands of entrants who responded to a competition sponsored by the New York Post, the official newspaper of the Subway Centennial.