As typical New Yorkers, we’re always on the run and trying to find ways to save time. When we’re tired and sleepy, we purchase a bagel and a coffee to enable us to function for the day.

            How much longer will you be able to enjoy that bagel and coffee on the subway?

            A board member floated the idea of banning food and drinks on subways in an effort to fight against the increase of rats, garbage and track fires.

            The idea was proposed during a Metropolitan Transportation Authority committee meeting and publishers were notified on March 22. The meeting was formed after someone posted an online video showing a subway rider tossing spaghetti at another passenger (http://articles.nydailynews.com).

            The fight that took place on the subway was between an older woman and two younger women. The argument started because the older woman moved away from the two younger ones, one of which was eating spaghetti on the subway.

            In addition, the older woman said an offensive remark to the teenager that was eating. “What kind of animals eat on the trains?” she said. Once that was said the teenager eating threw her spaghetti at the older woman and punched her as well, resulting in a train full of sauce, oil, and spaghetti.

            As a result of this event, the MTA is looking to clean up the subways by banning food and drinks. “I use the train everyday to get to school and sometimes I can’t even sit down because there is food on the seats,” said Bryant senior Amanda Arroyo. “I think they should ban food and drinks on subways because it makes people not want to take trains because it’s so dirty.”

            The MTA is thinking of banning foods and drinks on subways to limit rats and track fires. This caused about 600 train delays in January as well as 90 tons of trash that has to be cleaned out of the tracks daily (http://newyork.cbslocal.com).

            “I don’t think this is a good idea,” said Bryant senior Teddy Driva. “Many don’t have the time to eat at home so they make up the time by eating on the trains.”

            There are many debates on the issue. If you see it from one side, the trains would be more hygienic and it would result in seeing less rats and garbage. However, New Yorkers are always on the run and the need to multitask is part of our daily regimen.

            For now the MTA Committee has dismissed the idea. Nevertheless, now that the idea has been already brought up, situations in the future might trigger this idea into action.