The Commuter's "My Dog Ate My Homework"

Great news for all of the suburban and outer borough rat racers who commute to work using MTA trains - you now have a mechanism which will provide you documentation attesting to a delayed train causing you to be late for work. The MTA is providing a service on its website which allows commuters to request official verification via e-mail of a train delay, with all you need to do is enter station information and times.

The two unfortunate things about this is that it exposes the unreliability of a transit system to get us from Point A to Point B on time, which is irritating given the costs of train and subway fares which are soaring beyond the pace of inflation - the classic case of paying more for less. Also, it's a bummer for people whose work situation causes them feel an obligation provide documented proof for their lateness in the same way an eight-year old would get a note from a parent or doctor. Do they need to raise their hand and get a hall pass to go to the bathroom, too?

For better or for worse, if you're a commuter from Jersey like I am, you're stuck with the effects of no such nifty website functionality along with a 25% fare hike with reduced service - leading to overpacked train which make cattle cars seem comfortable in comparison. At least it provides me the ability to fib my way about missing an early morning meeting due to a late train without any ability to verify the truth of my excuse... not that I'd ever do that, of course.