Transit Groups Announce Winners In Subway And Bus Photo Contest

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Some shutterbugging on New York City Transit has won two people a free month of rides.

The Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives announced the winners of their subway and bus photo contest on Wednesday.

The winner in the "Good Transit Scene" category was called "Break of Day" by Sabrina Porter. It shows sunlight streaming onto an elevated train.

Of her submission, Porter said, "New York is an unusual city where there's always a photo opportunity if you just take a second and look around. I've been riding the subway all my life, and it really is one-of-a-kind."

"Reassuring? Not so much!" by John Wehmeyer won in the "Bad Transit Scene" category. His photo shows a customer service intercom with an "out of order" sign taped to it.

Of his submission, Wehmeyer said, "Although I like to think that the MTA does a great job overall with one of the biggest public transportation systems in the world, seeing something like this - in a station that has already had its human clerk removed - is a bit unnerving, to say the least."

"These photos show the best and the worst of the subways, celebrating what it is riders love about them and mourning what drives them crazy," said Gene Russianoff, attorney for the Straphangers Campaign.

"These photos show our transit system at its best - and its worst," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "It's time we had more of the former and less of the latter. The winning photos shine a spotlight on the real-world consequences of transit funding cuts and remind us what we stand to lose if nothing is done"

Porter and Wehmeyer each won a 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCard.

There were 169 entries to the contest from Monday, May 16 to Friday, June 10. A committee from the two transit groups picked the five finalists in each category and then website users voted based on those choices.

To see the other finalists, click HERE.