The MTA: Now Busting Even More of You for Tardies

Well, this is awkward. Back in June, the MTA introduced the NYC Transit Delay Verification System, an Internet memo of sorts into which you enter in your subway information and time; the program will confirm whether you were legitimately late, or just faking it because you overslept after a night of debauchery.

(We’re so glad the MTA has their priorities in order. Now if we could only get the L train to run on time and not be filled with a crushing mass of passengers every time it pulls into the station.)

After submitting your delay request, which asks for simple things like where your trip started and ended, and how long your delay was, you’ll have to wait 21 days (or, best case, maybe 5) for a response detailing the findings, which is plenty of time to come up with alternative excuses for why you were late and lied to your boss. Because while we’re sure there are other reasons for using this service than having a micro-managing supervisor, we surely cannot think of them. Maybe having a micro-managing parent, teacher, or parole officer?

Well, whomever’s micro-managing whom (and dare we suggest finding a line that did have a delay and using that as your “confirmation,” whether you rode it or not?), WNYC reports that the usage of the system has increased steadily since its debut.

In July 2010,

New York City Transit reported fielding 5,343 delay verification requests total (2,681 online and 2,662 by phone and letter), compared to just 2,572 total requests in July 2009. It’s unclear if usage is growing because more people know about the service or if the people who already know about the system are finding it easier to use.

By the way: If you need verification for a delay that happened more than 90 days ago, you can get it, but you need to file under the freedom of information law. But, frankly, if your boss is so crazy as to actually make you do this, you should escape via emergency exit slide, stat.

Also, do not run to catch a train, whatever you do.

[via We Hate the MTA, WNYC]