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For some reason, news that 130 of the 468 subway stations don't have public address sytems was shocking. Yes, all subway stations should have PA systems so riders waiting for trains can be alerted of emergencies or even just basically train re-routing issues, but given the crap condition of many stations, it's more a confirmation that the MTA needs to be prodded into doing more. And the truth is, we'd say that of the remaining 336 stations with PA systems, perhaps only 200 of them have intelligible PA systems - when the announcements come on, sometimes it sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher - "something something something police investigation something something something delay something something something." The MTA says that PA systems werent' part of some station designs and that they would be added; the Daily News adds that previous upgrading projects have been more about track infrastructure. Okay, tracks are probably more important than PA systems, but we dream that the MTA can do it all one day.
The Permanent Citizens' Advisory Committee to the MTA also said that the MTA lacked a set of standards for employees to follow in an emergency. Clearly, "Get the hell outta here" doesn't cut it. And our readers had some thoughtful ideas about nice NYC subways and why we might not have many.
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I stayed in New York last month (in end of july), and I found your subway (NY) very old and lack of security.
Sorry!
Now come on, just because its old doesn’t mean it sucks. Actually the Oldest Subway systems among the most efficient and widely used. It takes time to build a system as vast as New York's or London's.
And with security... well. . In order for a Subway system to run smoothly we can't check everyone who goes into the subway with a bag. Then no one would be able to get anywhere.
I would have to say that the subway is old AND sucks. I think the current epidemic of disrepair, filth, heat, locked exits, disfunctional pa systems, cant run when it rains, etc. is something of a national disgrace.
Please, check on:
http://www.metrolisboa.pt/index_uk.htm
I second the notion that the subway is old AND sucks. I realize that the MTA doesn't receive funding anywhere close to other subway systems, but the MTA is truly an embarassment when compared to subways in any major European city.
Hrm, 44 stations in Lisbon -vs- 468 stations in NYC.
You think even 200 have intelligible PA systems? I find that hard to imagine. I really wonder what the purpose of them is at all, especially in stations like Broadway Lafayette, where the B, V, and D all sound the same. Oh, the "*ee as in *arble train" isn't running? Great, so what does that mean?
In the past 10 years there has been a lot of improvement in how it runs, the status of the trains, etc.
To repair the subway in a way you'd like it to run would cost literally untold Billions of Dollars, money that will probably have to come mostly in the form of fare increases.
My only gripe with the Subway is the smell, the dirt & Shit, and the inconsistency with service.
As for the European Subways, they have problems of their own. The British system, even though it seems clean and wonderful, has tiny ass trains, somewhat old trains that seem to break down a lot (especially Commuter Rail), rats which rival NYC's rat problem and much more.
And how many other major subway systems stay open 24/7?
New Yorkers will defend their trains to the death and then tell you whats wrong with them, never fails. The MTA has indeed shortchanged its riders for the fares that we pay. They need to clean up their act, consolidate their administration, get rid of waste and spend more money on keeping service efficient and secure. Look forward to a Spitzer administration to push for transparency in this public-private venture.
Gothamist says - "given the crap condition of many stations.." yeah, no shit, LITERALLY. poor guy slipped in a 5 pound dukie yesterday at the 125th St A train stop. not sure if that is an MTA issue or a homeless one, but if the broken windows theory is to be adhered to, MTA should be faulted for the excrement that poor guy slipped in on his morning commute...
One word. Ipods.