McCabe touts Adopt-A-Subway idea

Candidate wants businesses to pay for station cleaning

May 17, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Liam McCabe says bringing private enterprise into the subway system will greatly benefit riders. Photo courtesy of McCabe campaign

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A City Council candidate has an idea on how to make subway stations less grungy and more user-friendly: have business owners adopt stations.

Liam McCabe, a Republican running for the seat in the 43rd Council District (Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) said his “Adopt-A-Station” idea is based on the “Adopt-A-Highway” program that has seen great success over the years.

Under Adopt-A-Highway, organizations or individuals agree to maintain sections of roadways and in exchange a sign is placed at the location listing the name of the organization or person.

McCabe said the same concept could work for stations along the R line in Bay Ridge.

“We have seen success with the Adopt-a-Highway Program across New York City. I recommend we introduce an Adopt-a-Subway Program that allows private businesses to help support the maintenance of specific subway stations and segments of MTA train lines,” McCabe said in a statement.

Adopt-A-Highway is a tax-deductible program in which New Yorkers can give back to their communities by agreeing to clean and maintain sections of roadways in the city, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT) website, nyc.gov/dot.

Highways can be adopted by individuals, companies or organizations, but not political candidates or campaigns, according to DOT. Segments of highways can also be adopted in memory of an individual. Signs acknowledging the sponsor are placed on the adopted roadway.

McCabe’s plan would give businesses free signage and free advertising space in stations in exchange for financial support for station maintenance measures.

“The state-run MTA has failed the people of New York City. It is time we bring in private support to help cut through the bureaucracy and enable real, tangible improvements to the commuting experience,” McCabe said. “Many of the issues we are seeing with the MTA come from a lack of accountability. Bringing in more stakeholders, especially those who are able to add to funding for maintenance and upkeep, creates accountability and promotes the cleaner, safer commuting experience that New Yorkers need to rely on.”

McCabe called his Adopt-a-Subway idea a winning proposition for businesses owners.

“Over 4.3 million people ride the subway every day. There is no better place for a business to reach its audience. And, with the current daily struggles commuters have with the MTA, any business that helps alleviate some of those problems will gain customer loyalty immediately,” he said.

McCabe is one of three Republicans running in the Sept. 12 primary. Bob Capano and John Quaglione are also running for the GOP nomination.

The Democrats running for the council seat are Justin Brannan, Kevin Peter Carroll, Rev. Khader El-Yateem and Nancy Tong.

The general election will take place on Nov. 7.

McCabe said details on his Adopt-a-Subway program will be announced soon and will include opportunities for businesses to connect with subway riders through apps and the strategy for developing a list of stations most in need of maintenance.

McCabe recently put another subway-related idea into practice.

Last month, when a six-month-long shutdown of the R train’s Bay Ridge Avenue station began,

McCabe filled the void in service by getting behind the wheel of his Buick and offering free rides to passengers to the next station at 59th Street.

“I figured it’s the least I can do,” Republican Liam McCabe told the Brooklyn Eagle.

MTA is renovating the Bay Ridge Avenue subway stop under its Enhanced Station Initiative.