“The lines seem to be better maintained in the rich enclaves.”
BS!
The lines are maintained the same no matter what “side” of the tracks they may be in accordance with PHMSA (federal) and PSC (state) regulations.
The rich tend to live in newer developments and the gas distribution system is the newer plastic mains and services in those areas.
But, a lot of gas utilities are spending a huge amount of capital to replace older cast iron, unprotected steel as well as the brittle Aldyl-A (plastic) mains with the more reliable medium density polyethylene plastic (MDPE). Yeah a lot of people complain about rate hikes, but these hikes are are what pay for these projects since gas utilities do not receive the big fat federal grants like your local water utility gets for their main replacements.
Just a coincidence that the explosions happen in the lower class neighborhood instead of the older upper class neighborhood a few miles away?
Try again after you sell that bridge in Brooklyn.