Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
Gijsbert Hanekroot/RedfernsMost New York City visitors, and even some locals, avoid taking the subway, but now the city’s Transit Authority’s provided a swell reason for you to give it a try.
For a limited time, you can buy David Bowie-branded MetroCards — the pre-paid plastic cards you swipe at the turnstile to ride the subway. There are five being offered, each featuring a photo of one of Bowie’s trademark personas: Bowie at the beginning, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke, and Bowie as a clown from 1980’s “Ashes to Ashes” video. Sadly, there’s no Goblin King card.
You can just buy them all in one go, however. Firstly, they’re only available at two stations, at Broadway-Lafayette and Bleecker St. — look them up on Google Maps. And secondly, they’ll be dispensed randomly at booths and vending machines. Given that they sell for a minimum $6.50 a pop — that’s two subway rides — you could spend some serious cash trying to collect all five.
If you want yours, you better hurry: only 250,000 will be distributed. If you don’t live in New York City, it’s time to cozy up to a pal who does.
The promotion’s not only to honor Bowie, who was a New York City resident, but also to promote the David Bowie Is touring exhibit, currently at the Brooklyn Museum. FYI, that’s where the MetroCard images came from.
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