The Consumerist ran an interesting piece about how some American mass transit systems are looking into selling station and/or line naming rights to corporate sponsors.Imagine giving public transit directions to your urban home in the future. "Oh, yeah, you take the Target Red Line, transfer at Comcast Station to the Apple Gray Line headed Fox Sports Westbound, and finally get off at Taco Bell Station." Seem crazy? Well, you have to name transit stations something, and both Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority are exploring the idea of selling naming rights to stations. They're not the first city to do this.
What do you think of this? Would any company even want to be associated with Metro? If so, what would be some good matches for Metro? What would be some of the station/line names should this happen? Is this a good idea or another case of corporate encroachment? Could WMATA sell the rights to other things, like offloads, door malfunctions, derailments?
(h/t Frank)
Other items:
It's not just Metro (BBC)
What really derails Metro (WaPo)
The Toyota Red Line...for when you need that unexpected acceleration into the train in front of you.
ReplyDeleteThe GM WMATA Headquarters...because you just can't run a transit agency without it going bankrupt and being bailed out by the taxpayers, time after time after time.
The Pinkerton Green Line...because if Metro won't provide security, Pinkerton will.
The Trojan J2 Bus Line, because you don't know if it's really going to come.
And the Crown Prince Orange Lines, because if you're packed like sardines you may as well be riding a line named after it.
Imodium Metro: We keep sh_t from moving.
ReplyDeleteThis DC Metro ride is proudly sponsored by Dramamine--you know you're gonna need it!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the diazepam Red Line. Trust us, you'll need it.
ReplyDeleteI thought Jim Graham already did this?
ReplyDeleteI hate the idea on its face, but really, *anything* that injects money to the system without raising fares (or cutting services) is okay with me in the end. Just in this recession (with its corresponding bad ad market), I'm not sure that advertisers are going to buy into this.
ReplyDeleteThey can't sell the ad space they already have. Just yesterday I was on a bus advertising for comments on the Purple Line, which said comment period closed in 2008.
ReplyDeletemore like "This Offload Brought to you by Red Top Cab"
ReplyDeleteDepends: don't worry about delays any more.
ReplyDeleteGlenlivet whiskey should buy the rights to Glenmont station and use the tag "by the time you get here, you're gonna need a drink."
ReplyDeleteANY high blood pressure medication should be ALL OVER metro right now. what an opportunuity
ReplyDeleteStairmaster is a proud sponsor of the Dupont Circle Metro station.
ReplyDeleteSome of the suggestions are very funny, but let's be real. NO COMPANY IN THE WORLD would want to be associated with the Metro. NONE. ZERO.
ReplyDeleteI can already see it now:
ReplyDelete"Next station is Gallery Place-Chinatown, brought to you by ADT. Trust me, you'll need the security."
Noticed there is no Unsuck on days some offices are closed, leading one to wish someone put a phone cam on this douche bag and see what type of support he is providing his customers.
ReplyDeleteCustomer:
ReplyDelete1. a person who purchases goods or services from another; buyer; patron.
Just got texted about a near passenger uprising on Wisconsin Avenue because there was no bus for an hour -- the bus driver wasn't having any of it and promptly began cursing out the passengers - charming stuff
ReplyDeleteThe Wa Post article cited above (what derails the metro) has this phrase, " Even before the derailment, Metro on Friday was slow, spotty and cramped." Thus, a great sponsor might be Tampons.....
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 4:23 – Really??? REALLY?? The main service I get out of Unsuck is mainly a place to read and to vent with fellow commuters. I didn’t know that Unsuck provides the answers to all things Metro, even when offices are closed. There ARE other services that report on the same thing Unsuck does. Unsuck just happens to be a very good place for all of the articles to be streamlined!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work, Unsuck, and BITE ME Anonymous 4:23!!
I wish they'd sell food too...Boston does it with no problem. Just let us snack!!
ReplyDeleteNext stop, BigMac Metro Center heading to Vienna Sausages. Across the platform is the Blue "I has a sad" Line to "Poise Pads Pentagon" via the L'Enfant GotsMeCryinLikeOne Station.
ReplyDeleteDon't miss the festival downtown - Take the RedFacedMetro Line to downtown Farragut KosherFranks Station. Board the U2 Bus bound for Shady-we-are-indeed-Grove station the other way!
Have a tasty commute and thank you for smelling Metro!
If it will reduce fares and increase revenue to increase safety and customer service, I am all for Metro selling whatever they want to corporate advertisers. Let's go on the Red Line, brought to you by Tampax!
ReplyDeleteHow about selling the name for the entire WMATA to Dyson or Hoover "Because we are the best at sucking."
ReplyDeleteBut WMATA actually outsucks them, so I can see how Hoover and Dyson would be resistant ;)
ReplyDeleteIf selling our commute to corporate brainwashing keeps us all from getting killed, bring it on. My only wish is that said businesses hire some of you to write the tag lines. We could all use a little more sarcastic humor about the absurdity of the problems we face just trying to get around the city!
ReplyDelete