If you were to embark on the longest uninterrupted, non-repeating subway trip possible, it would take you 54 transfers and about 11 hours to travel 154.6 miles.
That trip isn't a hypothetical one for former WNYC producer Jody Avirgan, who's spending his Thursday traveling a route plotted by the radio station's data news team. (He says they "suckered" him into doing it; he may just be a masochist.)
Avirgan commenced his epic odyssey at 8:25 a.m. at the Far Rockaway Mott Av. stop on the A line.
Hello from Far Rockaway, where I begin my trek for @WNYC to ride the longest route possible on the MTA. 11hrs or so. pic.twitter.com/Aye1IImbrI
— Jody Avirgan (@jodyavirgan) September 3, 2015He set the following rules for himself: bathroom breaks are his only excuse for leaving the subway; all his meals must be purchased at on-platform kiosks; and selfies are prohibited.
Below you'll find the significant takeaways from his journey so far:
Savvy 7 train riders wait at Grand Central station on the stairs connecting the platform with that of the 4/5/6 line.
In the Grand Central 7 transfer the smart folks hang on the upper stair platform - it's about 15degrees cooler there. pic.twitter.com/vT0Z1IpVpL
— Jody Avirgan (@jodyavirgan) September 3, 2015Sometimes, all one needs is a car of one's own.
For the first time today, on the F headed to Coney Island, have a car to myself. Gonna do some pull-ups. pic.twitter.com/r3aNR7DrHS
— Jody Avirgan (@jodyavirgan) September 3, 2015Tune into the "Brian Lehrer Show" Friday to hear Avirgan regale listeners with stories of his travels.
