January 28, 2021
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MTA Expands ‘TRAVELS FAR’ Memorial for MTA Workers Lost to COVID-19 to Regional Railroad Network |
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Simultaneous Displays at Grand Central Terminal, Moynihan Train Hall and One Vanderbilt Extend Memorial to Major Midtown Hubs Display of Images on Information Boards at Grand Central Synchronized to Audio is a First in 108-Year History of the Terminal The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today expanded “TRAVELS FAR,” a memorial launched by MTA Arts & Design this week to honor the 136 MTA employees lost to COVID-19, to Grand Central Terminal, Moynihan Train Hall and One Vanderbilt Transit Hall. The appearance of the memorial on the large informational ‘Big Boards’ at Grand Central Terminal, synchronized to the Terminal’s P.A. system, is a historic first. This was orchestrated to appear simultaneously with the memorial being shown at 107 subway stations, the massive new digital screens adorning Moynihan Train Hall and on screens in the Transit Hall of One Vanderbilt. The images, set to a backdrop of the MTA family of colors, are accompanied by “TRAVELS FAR,” a poem by Tracy K. Smith, the former U.S. Poet Laureate who was commissioned for this project. The memorial appears three times per day, at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. “This memorial is an important opportunity for all New Yorkers to take a moment to pay their respects and honor member of our heroic NYC Transit family,” said NYC Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg. “Expanding the number of places where people can view the memorial – particularly to historic, beautiful landmarks like Grand Central Terminal and Moynihan Train Hall, mean even more New Yorkers can participate.” “The loss of these MTA heroes to COVID-19 is a profound tragedy,” said Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi. “Expanding this beautiful tribute to historic Grand Central Terminal is one more way to honor the lives of those that we have lost.” “We will never forget those we lost to this tragic pandemic and honoring them is just one small way we can heal,” said LIRR President Phil Eng. “I’m so proud to have worked with them, and being able to utilize the magnificent new Moynihan Train Hall to honor our MTA family is a perfect symbol of their heroic efforts.” The memorial debuted on Monday, Jan. 25, appearing as an eight-minute video running on 138 three-panel digital screens at 107 subway stations. The “TRAVELS FAR” memorial is accompanied by an original score of the same name by composer Christopher Thompson, and will run daily through Sunday, Feb. 7. |
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