The MTA was carrying freight instead of people on Monday.
of agency Annual Pop-Up Sale Attracted buyers looking to purchase quirky items like a used subway station sign – or a MetroCard machine perfect for tying a living room together.
About 700 people braved the rain for this year’s event, where train seats, litter boxes, cockpit knobs and dials and switches, and other transit treasures were available for sale.
“This is our fourth year doing this, and the crowd size today is the largest we’ve ever seen,” said James Whittaker, 50, an MTA employee for the past 30 years who has been helping run the event.
“Today is the biggest crowd I’ve worked for all four years,” he said.
Some straphangers waited for hours in the rain in hopes of the sale starting before the sale closed at noon.
“New York is becoming too expensive and I’m thinking of relocating to North Carolina, but I wanted to take a piece of New York City with me,” said nurse Deirdre Plummer, 42, who has a red “Customer Support ” was also included. Intercom” notice that matched his umbrella.
John DiMarco, a 55-year-old retired NYPD policeman, bought a transit police sign for $100.
“I retired from the NYPD after 34 years,” DeMarco said.
“I worked with Mayor Adams from ’95 to ’97 in transit,” he said, showing his sign. “The mayor and I used to work together here when I was a sergeant in ’95. We worked at the Transit Bureau and this is a great reminder to me!”
Others were looking for last-minute Christmas gifts like signs from their family’s local stop, or signs for the iconic Yankees Stadium.
18-year-old Brooklynite Christian O. Said, “I’m trying to get a Yankee sign for a Christmas gift for my uncle.” “My aunt asked me. He’s a big collector and would turn it over for Christmas. I’m a little worried, look at this line!”
When the gates finally closed at noon, more than 300 people were disappointed and forced to leave empty-handed – including a New Yorker who had since moved to San Francisco, and a piece of the Big Apple. Wanted to bring it out of the West.
Brian Castro, 35, said, “I had to adjust some plans to make it happen but I think I can try again next year.”
Monday’s event was open to walk-ins, followed by two days of private appointments, where some people spent thousands for the items — including antique ceramic Times Square and 42nd Street signs valued at $2,500 .
The proceeds go into the MTA’s general operating budget and some shoppers hope it can make up the shortfall. The system is trying to raise $68 billion To keep things going for the next five years.
“I guess any dollar could help but they’re in such a deficit, I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference,” said Nick Arroyo, a 47-year-old mechanical engineer who received the gift as a Christmas gift from a brother. Sister who just moved out of state.
“Especially when they’re doing million-dollar surveys about why people jump turnstiles,” he said, referring to the agency soliciting bids of up to $1 million. Help understand the mindset of fare evaders,
“They’re blowing money like crazy!” He added.
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