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Metropolitan Transport Authority, New York (U.S.)

by Richard Knipel

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In 1953 the New York City Transit Authority was created and established its headquarters at 370 Jay Street in Brooklyn. Later, in 1968, the New York State Legislature created the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to oversee transportation operations in 12 downstate counties. The MTA then became New York City Transit's parent agency. Today, 'MTA New York City Transit' runs the world-famous subway system as well as the buses, the Staten Island Railway, and even the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

High atop the roof of 370 Jay Street, and difficult to make out from the ground, are flying two flags on a pair of poles, Old Glory of course and beside her the 'MTA New York City Transit' flag. The MTA logo is ubiquitous in the city, this flag I have seen nowhere else. This flag is hardly the paragon of creative design, but it does represent a pretty important institution around here, considering about 80% of New Yorkers use mass transit every day. I rather suspect that similar, predictable flags probably exist for the other MTA daughter agencies: MTA Long Island Rail Road, MTA Long Island Bus, MTA Metro-North Railroad; and MTA Bridges and Tunnels.
Richard Knipel, 23 July 2004