{"product_id":"from-a-nickel-to-a-token-the-journey-from-board-of-transportation-to-mta-paperback","title":"From a Nickel to a Token: The Journey from Board of Transportation to Mta - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eAndrew J. Sparberg\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStreetcars \"are as dead as sailing ships,\" said Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in a radio speech, two days before Madison Avenue's streetcars yielded to buses. LaGuardia was determined to eliminate streetcars, demolish pre-1900 elevated lines, and unify the subway system, a goal that became reality in 1940 when the separate IRT, BMT, and IND became one giant system under full public control. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this fascinating micro-history of New York's transit system, Andrew Sparberg examines twenty specific events between 1940 and 1968, book ended by subway unification and the MTA's creation. From a Nickel to a Token depicts a potpourri of well-remembered, partially forgotten, and totally obscure happenings drawn from the historical tapestry of New York mass transit. Sparberg deftly captures five boroughs of grit, chaos, and emotion grappling with a massive and unwieldy transit system. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDuring these decades, the system morphed into today's familiar network. The public sector absorbed most private surface lines operating within the five boroughs, and buses completely replaced streetcars. Elevated lines were demolished, replaced by subways or, along Manhattan's Third Avenue, not at all. Beyond the unification of the IND, IRT, and BMT, strategic track connections were built between lines to allow a more flexible and unified operation. The oldest subway routes received much needed rehabilitation. Thousands of new subway cars and buses were purchased. The sacred nickel fare barrier was broken, and by 1968 a ride cost twenty cents. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom LaGuardia to Lindsay, mayors devoted much energy to solving transit problems, keeping fares low, and appeasing voters, fellow elected officials, transit management, and labor leaders. Simultaneously, American society was experiencing tumultuous times, manifested by labor disputes, economic pressures, and civil rights protests. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFeaturing many photos never before published, From a Nickel to a Token is a historical trip back in time to a multitude of important events.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndrew J. Sparberg \u003c\/strong\u003ehas spent forty years in the transportation field, starting at Tri-State Regional Planning Commission, and then for twenty-five years at the Long Island Railroad. Since retiring from the LIRR he has worked on transportation's academic side, most recently at St. John's University and the City University of New York. He served as an associate editor of \u003cem\u003eThe Encyclopedia of New York City\u003c\/em\u003e, contributing numerous articles to that publication. He was technical editor of \u003cem\u003eLong Island Rail Road\u003c\/em\u003e, a 2007 history by well-known author Stan Fischler. For more than twenty years, Mr. Sparberg has conducted tours as a volunteer for the New York Transit Museum.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 192\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 9.7 x 6.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 01, 2016\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51757897548064,"sku":"9780823271801","price":27.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/9ba706f7ec9e83d713944dffd3e5f26a.webp?v=1780114312","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/from-a-nickel-to-a-token-the-journey-from-board-of-transportation-to-mta-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}