‘Rate My Rat’ website outs NYC subway vermin
Not to sound like John Rocker, but I’ve met some real rats on the subway.
If it wasn't for Bernie Madoff, Mets fans could drink Heineken. (Image taken from ratfreesubways.com)
In New York City, the problem with the four-legged variety of vermin is so bad transportation workers have created a website to draw attention to the infestation.
The “Rate My Rat” website allows rider to submit pictures of “nasty” rats for a chance to win a free monthly pass. My favorite is a cute little fellow sipping on a can of beer like an addled Mets fan.
Unfortunately, NYC subway riders aren’t exactly Marlin Perkins. Recently a train was evacuated when the first ‘possum ever spotted using public transportation caused a panic, and one submitted pic depicts someone’s rotund pet.
The workers union alleges budgetary “cutbacks mean rats are back,” so the website may be designed to restore jobs instead of reducing rats, but the tactic is interesting. Maybe MARTA could fire up a similar site to rat out the most obnoxious panhandlers?
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27 comments Add your comment
trizzle
January 30th, 2012
9:07 am
Really folks? You can’t handle the problem so you create a competition out of it with prizes? Wow…
MARTA Rida
January 30th, 2012
9:09 am
MARTA police have stepped up presence in the new year. Seen officers at stations and on trains frequently. Haven’t seen a panhandler in awhile. Maybe you, George, should take MARTA first-hand before making such outrageous comments?
4xtra
January 30th, 2012
9:34 am
Marta is not as bad as they say it is.
It is mostly perception that is violent.
I personally have NEVER seen any violence even though I do not ride it everyday.
The times I have rode Marta to the Airport or whatever everyone was real quiet and respectful.
Lets be honest here,
many white people get scared when they see that most of the passengers are black.
And the thing is that most of those black passengers are going to work or school..
Jimmy The Cricket
January 30th, 2012
10:07 am
MARTA is a great bargain for the Urban Core of Atlanta, and would be an even better bargaining chip if light rail was added to the ends of MARTA to reach the outlying counties.
But, Georgia wants to stiffle the growth of MARTA – creating a hugh lost for the ENTIRE region.
How pathetic.
Skin Borinson
January 30th, 2012
10:24 am
I seen a gorilla on the subway once. it might have been a man though, I’m still not sure. Maybe it was sasquatch! Oddly enough, he was drinking a beer too just like that rat. It was a Fosters.
Jim
January 30th, 2012
10:42 am
@4xtra I am not scared on Marta because there are alot of Black people on board. I get scared when I watch the news or youtube and see people acting out. Then seeing it in person….. While I have never had any physical altercations, there have been times when someone was being out of control and there wasnt anyone to Serve and Protect……..
Frank Furter
January 30th, 2012
11:08 am
Unleash the cats ! http://www.notquitedevils.com
JackZack
January 30th, 2012
11:26 am
Just say “no” to MARTA expansion. If you can’t afford to drive a car, then I don’t want you anywhere near my neighborhood. Period.
divineone
January 30th, 2012
11:36 am
@JackZackJust say “no” to MARTA expansion. If you can’t afford to drive a car, then I don’t want you anywhere near my neighborhood. Period. what is that comment. the way times are now people can’t even afford to have a car.. I’m not sure where you grew up but public transportation is good Atlanta metro area grow every year they will have to expand MARTA you sound like a snot!
dood
January 30th, 2012
11:58 am
George doesn’t need to take MARTA anymore now that the AJC is now DJC – Dunwoody Journal Constitution.