ekscrunchy

Subway riders are asked to fill out this survey:


http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/have-you-seen-rat-today


http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...y-rats-abound/

Dukey1

Rats have been in subways for DECADES

Gothampc

As a resident of New York, I think rats are a lesser worry. The concern should be getting control of the skyrocketing costs and shoddy service (especially on weekends). The rats they need to get rid of are the ones in charge of the MTA.

vjpblovesitaly

Who ever thought it was a myth?

Frank

In all the years I've traveled the subways, probably saw 2 or 3, and they were on the tracks. Not a big problem.

NeoPatrick

This is news? I've always entertained myself counting rats on the tracks while waiting for the trains. I think my record in one stop was 17 or so. Rarely if you're looking for them do you not see at least one in many stops.

Aduchamp1

I have also seen garbage.

vjpblovesitaly

I have never seen a rat in DC's Metro. I've seen a couple of mice. One was eating pizza. It was so cute.

My aunt has lived in NYC (Queens) all her life (70+ years) and has never seen a rat. Dead or alive. Can you believe that?

BigRuss

I'm thinking vjp's auntie is the urban myth -- never seen a rat in NYC?

I see rats in the subway all the time when I'm in NYC. Big varmints, too. The notion that it is an urban myth is generated by non-NYers.

HappyTrvlr

And in Chicago, you'll see signs for the Mayor's Rat Hotline ( in the alleys)to call to report sightings so new bait can be placed to control the population. Cities on the water will probably always have rats.

nytraveler

Rats have been in the subways since the day they started digging the first tunnel - more than 100 years ago. As long as they run and don't attack tht is al I ask.

who ever said this was an urban myth.

The alligators in the NYC subway tunnels is a myth (I think).

ekscrunchy

I live here so I know it is not news!

I just thought the survey was amusing--guess no one shares my sense of humor.



GothamPC: Right on! Although I must admit that the alligator problem seems to have been taken care of in the past few years, so I guess they deserve some credit.

gb944

According to the survey questions, they must think that rats stay north of 85th Street.

ellenem

The survey is from a particular state senator who seems to be concerned only about his own district, which is north of 85th Street.

travelbuff

There are more rats than people here, and I see them all the time in the subway. I saw a a cat on a subway platform once and thought I would pick it up and take it to a shelter,,,,,turned out it was a RAT!!!! We grow everything BIG here.

NeoPatrick

Maybe the problem is that the mole people just aren't eating as many rats as they used to?

Centralparkgirl

The two legged ones on the 6 train are the ones I really detest. One tried to trample me a little while ago. I'd like to throw him to the mole people.

sandi

Been in NYC my entire life and never once seen a rat in the subway. Did, however, once see a rat picking thru garbage under the 42nd St./Park Ave. overpass... close enough to the subway below, I guess.

nytraveler

Queens is the suburbs (most of it) and rats are quite uncommon.

My favorite rat in NYC is the Union Rat (displyed in front of non-union construction sites):

http://www.mrhipster.com/randomness/photoarchive8.shtml
or
http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/b...nrat/index.htm

nelsonian

My DD and SIL sent a DVD back recently they had done on their move to NYC. It features a rat in the subway accompanied by scary music!!!!