Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Fare Hike

The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority's fare hike went into effect at midnight on March 3, including a monthly ticket increase for Long Island Rail Road riders of as much as 15.3 percent, depending on destination and trip type, along with a quarter increase in most subway and bus fares. LIRRfares rose an average of 9 percent, along with Metro-North train fares. Subway and bus rides increased from $2.25 to $2.50 for a single ride, and express buses will cost $6. Other notable increases include a seven-day MetroCard hitting $30, up from $29, and a monthly MetroCard going up from $104 to $112. Customers are now charged $1 for every new MetroCard they purchase, and tolls have also gone up. Toll increases range from $4.80 to $5.33 for E-ZPass customers and from $6.50 to $7.50 for cash customers.

The images above were taken at 42nd Street in Times Square, 5th Avenue-Bryant Park and Grand Central stations.

"Bedpan Alley"

Manhattan's Upper Eastside has many hospitals including the New York Presbyterian-Cornell Medical Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,  Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan Eyer, Ear and Throat Hospital, Rockefeller University Hospital, Lauder Breast Center, Rogosin Institute, and Gracie Square Hospital. The section of First Avenue north of the  Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge is also sometimes referred to as "Bedpan Alley" (a play on "Tin Pan Alley") because of the large number of hospitals in the area. The photos above show aerial views of First and York Avenues, and signage at the 68th Street subway station.