(Newsday posted the following article by Jennifer Maloney on its website on June 18.)
NEW YORK — How much are your pants pockets worth?
The Long Island and Metro-North railroads say $3.59 million.
The railroads will ask the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board this month to approve that money for replacing 50,982 armrests that snag the pockets of unsuspecting riders.
The cost dwarfs the $108,000 in reimbursements the railroads have paid to passengers whose clothes have been torn by the armrests since 2002. But many more have fallen victim without filing a claim.
By 2010, the LIRR no longer will be fielding angry calls about torn jackets and mangled pants — victims of a long, narrow rubbery arm that seems to sneak into pockets and, when passengers stand up, don’t let go.
The $3.59-million contract, which goes before the LIRR/LI Bus committee this week and before the full MTA board a week later, works out to a purchase price of about $70.42 apiece, according to a document provided to board members. The LIRR’s portion would be $2.56 million. The money would come from the railroad’s capital budget, the document said.
Train maintenance crews will saw off about 3 inches of metal from the end of each armrest and slip on a smooth blue plastic sleeve. LIRR labor costs for the project, which are not included in the contract, were not available yesterday.
After the improved armrests arrive, the railroads expect to install them at a rate of about 10 cars per week.
The LIRR, which has more of the offending appendages than its sister railroad, plans to modify 36,366 armrests on 836 trains by the middle of 2010, McGowan said. Metro-North hopes to replace 14,616 armrests on 336 trains by the first quarter of 2009.
Until then, LIRR riders can file claims for tattered trousers and other garments by calling 718-558-8292.