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New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
‘Hall of Fame' repeat offender with some 230 arrests in trouble again with 4 busts in past month
The serial transit offender with about 230 total arrests who cops slammed as a candidate for the subway crime 'Hall of Fame' is in trouble again as he racked up four more busts over the past month before being dumped back onto the street, law enforcement sources said. Michael Wilson, 37 – who sources say committed 90 percent of his crimes in the subway system – was nabbed for the 25th time this year on Tuesday for allegedly riding between cars on a train passing through the 42nd Street-Times Square station, according to the sources. He then lied about his personal info to arresting officers, according to the sources. 4 Michael Wilson, 37, who has 170 arrests on his record, was most recently busted for riding between subway cars, sources said. Obtained by NY Post Wilson was also busted on May 25 for allegedly lying across multiple seats on a train car in Brooklyn, police said. On May 12, he was nabbed for allegedly smoking crack cocaine on a staircase at Riverside Drive and 104th Street on the Upper West Side, and then tossing the residue down the steps, cops and sources said. And on May 6, Wilson was charged with allegedly smoking crack on a moving train in Harlem, police said. He was released on each of the cases – which is nothing new for the serial offender, who earlier this year drew the ire of NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper. 'If there was a hall of fame for Subway offenders — this guy would be a first ballot inductee,' NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper wrote in a scathing X post. 4 Wilson was busted twice in May on crack-cocaine-related offenses, cops said. Stephen Yang 'And yet, certain parts of our criminal justice system seem to think otherwise.' Kemper's comments came after Wilson's Feb. 2 bust, when cops caught him swiping a rider through a turnstile with a MetroCard in exchange for cash, law enforcement sources said. He was ordered to leave the West 34th Street and Seventh Avenue subway station during the 10 a.m. ordeal, but he refused, and started to flail his arms and stiffen his body in an effort to avoid arrest. Eventually officers placed Wilson under arrest. They found six MetroCards in his possession, which they bent along their magnetic strips to render them unusable. He also had a student MetroCard. 4 Chief of Transit Michael Kemper previously called Wilson a candidate for the 'hall of fame for Subway offenders.' Stephen Yang Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office ultimately let him off without prosecution 'in the interest of justice,' according to sources. Kemper took exception to the DA's rationale, referencing it verbatim in his X post. 'Justice for whom? Recidivist criminals or law abiding NYers who simply want to travel on the subways free of harassment or open acts of lawlessness?' Kemper said. A spokesperson for Bragg said at the time that his office continues to 'hold accountable those who jeopardize the safety of other passengers and transit workers in our subways. 4 Wilson has four prior felony convictions — one for a violent offense, sources said. Stephen Yang 'Last year's decrease in transit crime throughout the borough was the result of close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, and we are continuing that work every day,' the spokesperson said. Before that bust, Wilson was arrested on two criminal tampering charges on Jan. 17, and seven others on Jan. 13, according to the sources. On Jan. 3, he was arrested and slapped with 11 charges – 10 for criminal tampering and one for theft of service, the sources said. The career criminal – whose first arrest was back in 2004 – was arrested 232 times over the years, but dozens of those cases have been sealed, bringing the unsealed total to 170, according to the sources. A whopping 135 of his arrests have been on felony charges, but he's only been convicted of felonies four times, with one of them a violent felony, according to the sources. His parole was also revoked several times, the sources said. He has also racked up 53 misdemeanor convictions, the sources said. Wilson had also been issued more than 30 bench warrants to failure to appear in court, according to the sources.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
You'll be able to ride 100-year-old subway cars in Brooklyn this weekend
Step—or better yet, subway—back in time this weekend with a nostalgic trip down MTA lane: Just as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York Transit Museum festively did over the holidays, the NYC subway system will see a few retro trains taking to its tracks on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, offering riders a glimpse into New York's metro past. As part of the so-called " Parade of Trains," a selection of historical subway cars—this year's lineup includes the legendary R1/9s, BMT Standards, and BU Gate Cars, the latter of which are more than 120 years old—will be rolled out for a special weekend celebration on the BMT Brighton Line, inviting MetroCard swipers to hop on and off vintage favorites at the Brighton Beach station (B/Q platforms) and Kings Highway station (Manhattan-bound B/Q platform). Trains will run between Brighton Beach and Kings Highway starting at 11am ET on both Saturday and Sunday, with individual trips running approximately 10 minutes each and the last train being boarded by 3:50pm. Admission to the throwback experience is free with a simple MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap and while not required, advanced registration is encouraged. Pre-registration also enters you into a raffle for a chance to win a Family membership to the New York Transit Museum (a $100 value). View this post on Instagram A post shared by New York Transit Museum (@nytransitmuseum) Each train car will eschew the now-standard modern trappings (think air conditioning and "The next stop is..." automated voice announcements) and fully take you back in time with their rattan seats, leather straps, hand-operated doors and old-school advertisements. 'It really feels like stepping into a moving museum or time capsule,' said Transit Museum Marketing Manager Chelsea Newburg. 'You can hop on cars that date all the way back to 1904, sit on the rattan seats and even see vintage ads in the cars from the period the train cars were in service. Each car has its own story and personality, and together they show just how much the city and its transit system has changed over the years.'
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Merseyrail tap-and-go ticketing trial set to begin
A new contactless system for purchasing train tickets on the Merseyrail network has taken a "big step forward" as it enters its testing phase, the region's metro mayor has new tap-and-go system was announced in 2024 and was originally intended to be introduced last part of a £10m investment in the network, passengers will be able to use a Metro Card linked to their bank account to make journeys across the Liverpool City Steve Rotheram said the system will guarantee travellers the most economic fare, and remove the need to queue for tickets. "The measure of any 21st century public transport system is how quickly, cheaply and easily it helps passengers get from A to B – and that starts by how people pay for their journey," he said."For too long, passengers in our region have been forced to contend with an outdated, antiquated and fragmented ticketing system that simply doesn't work in their favour."Our plans for a new tap-and-go system will make it easier than ever for passengers, removing unnecessary queues and ensuring they never have to pay over-the-odds to get about our region." Passengers at Liverpool's Central Station have welcomed the Boyce, who works in a coffee shop near to the station, said the move was "long overdue", an opinion echoed by Merseyrail-user Erin Armitage, who added the new system would be "very useful if it cuts down waiting in a queue for tickets".James Finney, who regularly travels by train, said the current system which requires a printed ticket, can "catch people out" when they are making connections."You expect tap-and-go now, from going to other stations," he said."And trying to get your ticket, sometimes you run out of time because you don't expect to have to queue." The first phase of the launch will see 50 volunteers test the system using a Metro Card on Northern and Wirral the second stage, expected later this year, rail users will be able to use bank cards and smart devices at the Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "Moving to this testing stage is a big step forward towards rolling out this technology which will unlock so many benefits for our region - removing the need for unnecessary queues, ensuring that no one spends more than they need to get around our region – and protecting revenue streams for further investment in improvements." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Time Out
09-05-2025
- Time Out
The A train to resume in the Rockaways in time for beach season—here's when you can ride
It's nearly here, so close we can almost feel the sand beneath our toes: beach season. We just have to get through a few more pesky (and, annoyingly, rain-filled) weeks and then we'll be back at Rockaway Beach, shoveling fish tacos and piña coladas down our throats in between dips in the Atlantic. Glorious. And speaking of gloriousness, it will soon be much easier to get down to the Rockaways than it has been all year, what with the return of A train service to the area on Monday, May 19. As you may remember, this January kicked off a four-month pause on A train service across a five-mile stretch connecting Howard Beach-JFK Airport, Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue and the Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street stations, which are the last stops on the A line. There was simultaneously a suspension on Rockaway Park Shuttle trains to and from Broad Channel—meaning that accessing the Rockaway peninsula at any point this year required a bit more planning than a mere MetroCard swipe. (Thank the transit gods for the NY Ferry, amirite?) The service stoppage was part of a 17-week rehabilitation project to repair extensive damage suffered during Superstorm Sandy back in 2012, especially at Hammels Wye Viaduct and South Channel Bridge, which carry trains across Broad Channel. The work also included the installation of new flood barriers and pumps, critical additions that would provide extra security against a natural disaster like Sandy, as reported by Gothamist. During the closure, the MTA provided discounted Long Island Rail Road fares, extended express bus routes and continued NYC Ferry service to support impacted commuters, which was estimated at 9,000 riders per day. Restoring subway access to the Queens-based beach community couldn't have come at a better time, what with New York City public beaches set to open for swimming and sunbathing on Saturday, May 24. In the meantime, you can keep up to date on the here.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rosy ads brag NYC is doing great since Eric Adams became mayor — but critics aren't buying it
A series of ads designed by Mayor Eric Adams' team boasts about how great things have been since he took office — but critics aren't buying the rosy picture the marketing campaign is selling. The adverts come as Adams seeks re-election, with super optimistic messages at LinkNYC wifi kiosks across the five boroughs that the mayor's office said are offered 'free' for city messages. 'The Adams administration is using city resources to promote his reelection bid,' said Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. 'The ads list a subjective, selective set of accomplishments in the areas most important to voters — crime and education,' Gelinas added. One ad called 'Peace of Mind' shows the NYPD logo and says 'major crimes down overall in 2024' along with a logo for the mayor's Public Engagement Unit. '$30 Billion back into the pockets of New Yorkers in the last three years,' the ad declares — the same timeframe Adams has been mayor. Another ' ad called 'Potential' boasts about city agencies 'delivering for you.' 'New York is dedicated to being the best place to raise a family through record enrollment in subsidized early education programs, investments in student internships, and new programs to help our kids read and learn math, all thanks to the over 300,000 of our neighbors in public service,' the ad says. The ' website links to a city government home page that features a video of Adams. Specific links on the home page take viewers to a 'Get Stuff Done' site that touts 'New York City's Accomplishments Under Mayor Adams.' The Post found the Peace of Mind ad along Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills and Kew Gardens Road in Kew Gardens. The ads are mixed in with other ads touting local restaurants, historical facts and concerts. Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa called the ads shady. 'Eric Adams is blowing taxpayer money on government ads claiming he's `giving New Yorkers peace of mind,' while people still fear for their safety, rents are out of control, and the crisis of homelessness and mental illness is growing in our streets, subways, and parks,' said Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder. 'He says he put $30 billion back in your pocket—yet most New Yorkers are just trying to afford a MetroCard. If this is peace of mind, what does chaos look like? The only real comfort is knowing his time is almost up.' is running for re-election as an independent candidate in the general election after dropping out of a June Democratic Party primary. His administration has been roiled by corruption probes and turnover, including his own federal criminal indictment that was dismissed. The mayor's team defended the ads as informational and not campaign-related, noting neither his name nor image appear in them, and don't even say City Hall. 'New Yorkers are the hardest-working people on the globe, and they deserve to know their hard-earned tax dollars are going toward driving down crime, building affordable housing, and making New York City the best place to raise a family,' said mayoral spokeswoman Liz Garcia. 'We have run LinkNYC ads to promote city resources for years, and they have been an effective tool to meet New Yorkers where they are and spread the word about how their government can serve them.' The mayor's camp had claimed the City Council engaged in electioneering last fall, by sending out mailers to constituents trashing recommendations from an Adams-appointed charter revision commission, as a clearer case of city resources being used for political purposes.
