During this time of economic struggle most of us have held back on spending our money frivolously, but not the MTA.This double recession apparently has not hit the MTA as hard as it has NYC commuters. The MTA is still spending like its 1999!

The Jay Street Borough Hall Station, located three blocks north of St. Francis College, has become the latest form of artistic expression for the MTA. Instead of using our money for things like fixing up uneven platforms or better train service they have decided to build…A WONDERFUL MOSAIC OF FISH AND BIRDS KISSING EACH OTHER!

The construction of this mosaic started in the middle of December 2009 and is hopefully going to be finished on May 5, 2010. In the meantime A C and F train commuters have been forced to use alternate ways to enter and exit the station.

St. Francis College students, like me, now have to go all the way around a block just to get to school, as opposed to just going straight for two quick blocks.

Other commuters are not happy at where their money is going at a time like this. “This thing is ridiculous,” says Steven Ross, a daily A train commuter. “They want us to pay $3 to get on a bus or train for this? Look at that. It’s stupid.”

Lucy Burston, another A train commuter, was also not pleased at this new ‘art.’ “Do they expect commuters to look at this? When? Everyone is always in a hurry to get to work or some other place. When do they expect us to look at this? It’s a waste of money.”

This reporter couldn’t agree more with these statements. Right now is a time to be smart about your spending and while the rest of us have to adjust to this new life, others just don’t seem to give a damn. Maybe we really don’t need safer platforms or better train service.

Maybe all we need is love; the love that is seen between the birds and the fish that are making out in the Jay Street Station.