Monday, August 16, 2010

MTA tackling pigeon poop problem

From the Queens Courier:

Pigeons are common in the city, but they remain nuisances for many Queens residents who walk under elevated train tracks like the No. 7 line.

The New York City Transit Authority has been trying to do something about it. At numerous stations along the No. 7 line, NYC Transit has installed four different repellants to try to keep the pigeons from congregating in the stations.

The 103rd Street-Corona Plaza and 52nd Street stops are equipped with the “Bird B Gone” shock track. According to Charles F. Seaton, a spokesperson for New York City Transit, the cost of the installation of the track shocks at 103rd Street was $102,550 and 52nd Street was $154,750. However, he said NYC Transit does not monitor the electricity usage.

Another station is the 74th Street-Broadway stop, which has two systems in place to disperse pigeons, Seaton said. They are the “Avian” system, which operates the same way the shock track does, but has proved to be less effective, and the “Bird B Gone” gel repellant, which is applied to ledges and perches within the station confines.

The Mets-Willets Point stop has a “Bird Call” system installed in the mezzanine, which mimics the sounds of predators and keeps the pigeons away. The 111th Street stop has metal spikes installed above stairs and walkways to prevent roosting.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

pigeons? really? that's how the transit authority wants to spend the few pennies in its pocket on?

Pepper said...

my thoughts exactly. why pigeons?

georgetheatheist said...

If they can kill the geese by the airport, they can kill the pigeons by the subway.

Kill them. KILL them. KILL THEM NOW.

Anonymous said...

Once again I say we should develop a taste for pigeons. I understand that they are eaten in other countries. Then we solve 2 problems, or should I say "kill 2 birds with one stone," hunger and nuisance.

Anonymous said...

Murdering pigeons is not the answer, but the MTA does have to do something about all the bird droppings falling down from the 7 train in Jackson Heights. I hesitate to shop along Roosevelt Avenue for fear of droppings. And what is more, that avenue was named after such a great president. Clean it up !

Anonymous said...

To Anons 1 & 2: because people keep complaining about getting pooped on. Your solutions?

ew-3 said...

speaking of eating pigeon, my Dad used to tell a story how during the depression he and his brothers would use rubber bands and paper clips to kill pigeons for food. (And people say we are in hard times now)

Anonymous said...

In Astoria, the pigeons were using asbestos for nesting meterial, then they wondered why that station was a cancer cluster

Anonymous said...

this is beyond barbaric to me. why bother pigeons at all who are really peace doves?

if someone suggested we use an electric shock called Illegal immigrant-b-gone, there would be an outcry.

how about putting metal and plastic spikes where the day laborer's gather to steal work from Americans?

Anonymous said...

Because they're pooping on people.

Anony2 said...

If there wasn't so much litter and trash left behind the pigeons would find other places to go.

Anonymous said...

And tons of birdseed.