Change is coming. A reader sent us an email yesterday afternoon with the subject line “B61 Shilling for Ikea” to let us know that the B61 no longer says that it runs to Van Brunt Street. Our reader wrote:
Yesterday I noticed that the B61 now says “RED HOOK – IKEA TERMINAL” instead of VAN BRUNT ST. RED HOOK in the flashing side destination menus. I might feel better about the free advertising *if the ikea was actually open yet* but, well, you know. Is the city getting paid for this? Inquring minds want to know.
Actually, we’re pretty certain it’s just the MTA being hyper-efficient and getting the name of the stop up there long before the store opens. If only other aspects of the operation could be so ahead of the curve.
6 responses so far ↓
1 eloise // Apr 8, 2008 at 8:18 am
The MTA did a similar thing with the Q54 bus down Metropolitan Avenue, which I use to get from home in Williamsburg to the Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale (the kind of “commons” mall I’ve never seen outside of Florida, California or Arizona before up here). When it first opened, I’d have to get off the bus at Metropolitan Ave. & 80th St. and walk the seven blocks or so or transfer to another bus.
After a few months, however, the Q54 started a new route, going down 80th Street, turning left at Cooper Ave. by Atlas Park, and then heading back on Metropolitan Ave. on its way to Jamaica. While it’s probably a slight inconvenience to some passengers, it’s really helpful to shoppers.
Similarly, I’m glad I’ll be able to get to the Ikea with the B61 and it’s good that the MTA is on top of this.
2 Gringcorp // Apr 8, 2008 at 9:14 am
Ikea has this habit of slapping their name on bits of semi-public infrastructure. All of the stores I’ve been to have to be located on “Ikea Drive”.
3 Anonymous // Apr 8, 2008 at 6:09 pm
The City’s compensation? We don’t lose an hour a day when 2000 riders everyday climbing aboard don’t distract the driver and hold up the boarding by asking, “Does this bus go to IKEA?”
4 Anonymous // Apr 8, 2008 at 6:29 pm
the state (MTA) gets the revenue from the free advertising…
B61 will be delayed as everyone attempts to board the bus with Ikea boxes.
The streets of Red Hook can’t handle the volume of cars to/from this new store!
5 Anonymous // Apr 8, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Ah-OO-GAH!
Ah_OO-GAH!
Run for your lives!
The Swedes are coming!
The goddamn store hasn’t even opened yet!
And yes, commerce and capitalism will triumph … even in “Red” Hook!
6 Anonymous // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:35 am
good thinking everyone! lets force those icky rude bus users to take cars and taxis instead!