Straphangers are always asking the the MTA questions via their @NYCTsubway Twitter account but on Thursday (3/29), NYC Transit Authority head Andy Byford (who was brought in in January from Toronto Transit Commission), and Sarah Meyer held an official #AskNYCT chat. Most people asked questions about the L Train shutdown, or rumors that the subway might not go 24/7 anmore, but NYC Councilman (and Indecision guitarist) Justin Brannon thought to ask “What’s your favorite Smiths song?” To which @NYCTSubway replied, “Great question, Justin! Thank you for your service. The Smiths are my favorite band. I love There’s a Light That Never Goes Out, Panic, and This Charming Man.” Specifically it was Byford who replied, but its still funny to think that The Smiths could be the NYC Subway’s favorite band.
Some people replied with subway-specific Smiths jokes (“Nowhere Fast”) or “Hm, suspect. Those were all singles.” Many more were annoyed that the MTA even bothered to reply to this at all:
THIS is the question you decided to answer, @NYCTSubway?! UGH. Fix the signals from the 1930s and quit talking about music.
— Nicole D. (@nicoledandrea) March 29, 2018
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Here’s the original Tweet and a few other more pertinent Subway questions:
Great question, Justin! Thank you for your service. The Smiths are my favorite band. I love There's a Light That Never Goes Out, Panic, and This Charming Man. #AskNYCT ^AB https://t.co/z9ZiH4TyJ2
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) March 29, 2018
I think it's great that our city has 24/7 service, and there are no plans to change that. That said, if we are to resignal the subway, which we must, we will need to suspend service on occasions to allow work to take place. #AskNYCT ^AB https://t.co/0Rl3my8PZG
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) March 29, 2018
Hi Leslie, I have reviewed the plan, and there is no question that the L train shutdown will be a huge challenge. That said, there is still time to refine the plan, and we are working closely with the City and NYPD to provide smooth service throughout the closure. #AskNYCT ^AB https://t.co/QnMbqx79Ax
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) March 29, 2018