The last of the subway cars which had the once-familiar metal straps were
retired in late 2003. 

See the Subway Chronicles at
http://www.thesubwaychronicles.com/essays/2005/Nov%202005.html   


-----Original Message-----
From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State history.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lester Hendrix
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 8:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [NYHIST-L] NYC Subways

It has been a few years since I rode the subway and I find there are no 
straps, and hence no real "straphangers." Does anyone know when the last 
straps were retired? Were they removed for a particular reason or merely 
omitted as newer cars replaced those with straps?