November 20, 2006
Subway Station Emergency Exits Are Busted
You know those "Emergency Exits" at subway stations with the panic bars? And how even though they are "Emergency Exits," they are inevitably the ones that people with big packages or strollers often use, whether with help from a station agent or just setting off the "WEE!! WEE!! WEE!!" alarm? Well, that kind of usage is causing the alarms to break down and malfunction frequently.
The Post reports that even though the Emergency Exits were designed as emergency exits for the High Entrance-Exit Turnstiles (the "Iron Maiden" turnstiles; since the HEETs are more cumbersome to deal with), riders don't get it and use them so much that now their alarms will go off randomly. The Straphangers Campaign suggests that the MTA embark on a public awareness campaign to explain what the panic bars really mean. We're not sure if that's going to stop anyone from using them, unless more HEETs are installed or people get less impatient.
The special Emergency Exits were added last year. And Emergency Exits are different from Service Entries - but either way, you need permission to use them.
Photograph of emergency exit at Lawrence Station from the MTA
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I use the one at fulton st. almost every day from the downtown 4-5. whoops!
In a lot of stations, there are 2 convenient/safe options: the iron maiden exit or the emergency exit. I hate the high entrance/exit turnstiles. They're dangerous, they slow up the pace and I'm constantly getting hit in the butt or heel with them.
In many stations it's the only exit other than the turnstiles, so it has to be used by people with strollers, etc.
This system simply doesn't work. When trying to get my stroller through the downtown side of the Spring Street (C,E line) I've got to buzz the station agent booth on the uptown platform. He/she has never responded so I just push the door open and set off the alarm... What else am I supposed to do? I just sucks if my kid is taking a nap.
I'm not sure the alarm at the Fulton St. downtown 4/5 exit is connected. I use that exit every day as well. I've never seen a MTA worker tell someone not to use it. Maybe with all the construction going on they're treating the emergency exit as a service exit until the work is done.
Another example of MTA retardedness. Oftentimes these doors are the only avenue of entrance/exit for people with large packages or strollers.
I know for a fact that at my stop, the rush hour flow always clogs up the turnstiles in 2 seconds. We always open the door and don't care it sets the alarm off because, hey, are we just going to stand around while a perfectly good door goes unused?
JUST LET PEOPLE USE THE DOORS
Agree w/ John (and Jose) - at rush hour, the turnstiles get so backed up in many stations that there isn't even enough space for people to get off the train - resulting in massive pushing and shoving. This is dangerous for people on the platform and those trying to exit the train. Does a threat to the safety of hundreds of people in a station constitute enough of an 'emergency' to justify using the emergency exit as a regular exit? I think so.
I'm in total agreement with John. The MTA asked for this by making stations both more dangerous and MUCH more annoying with those turnstiles in order to save some bucks. These things screw people on both sides. People routinely lose their swipes, particularly tourists; they make getting out of the station at any remotely busy time extra slow. I wonder how much money the MTA is losing because people go through the turnstile and then open the gate for their friends. I saw four kids do just that this weekend at the Houston street station.
I think the MTA used up it's entire capacity for good ideas when it created the unlimited metro card. Everything else since then has stunk.
The emergency exit at 23/6th F is always wide open in the mornings; I never hear the alarm, although it may have already gone off before I got there. The volume of people getting out there necessitates it, though.
I don't know why people just don't ask the token takers for help. Oh, wait.. BECAUSE THEY FIRED THEM ALL!
(Hyperbole, people..)
If I've got my bike or a package and I come up to a turnstile with no MTA person around to buzz me in/out... damn right I'm going through the door.
Agree with Jasmurph... this problem is totally the making of the MTA's lunkheaded policies. Just wait for the fare increase to pay for the alarm repair.
Apparently people don't understand the words in big all caps letters that say "EMERGENCY EXIT" on the doors. They are a half-assed thing to say, "Look we are doing something!"
I predict that the HEET turnstyles will be the source of a lawsuit after someone gets stuck in one for an extended period of time. Then they will be forced to do something.
I remember off the Nostrand A stop, everyday at rush hour people would use the door to leave the station, and when they suddenly put the words "emergency exit" things didn't change.
It's the most practical way of moving people out during rush hour. I never understood why they suddenly thought banning it from use would be safer. If they want an alarm, install more alarms in the stations (not doors) and stop impeding flow of traffic.
They have to figure this out. When I have a big rolling suitcase, I simply can't get through any exit/entrance except the emergency exit. DC Metro has a gate that opens, which makes life a lot easier for people who are entering and exiting with strollers or suitcases.
I use the emergency door all the time - it's the only way to get out when you've got a toddler in a stroller. If the MTA was smarter about making the subway more wheelchair and stroller accessible, maybe they wouldn't have the alarms breaking. I agree with Jared - DC's turnstyles make much more sense.
Well duh!!! What the hell did you all think was going happen when those "Emergency exits" were put into the system ? Ofcourse people were going to abuse them . That just comes with the territory . It's not going to make any difference if the MTA goes through a public awareness campaign alerting the public not to use these doors for common entrance/exit . People are lazy like that, It's nothing but a big convenience to them ! Do I use them ? Yes from time to time, Guilty as charged ! Those bills must be adding up for the MTA to start bitching about now .
Just disable the "alarm". The noise means nothing. The only reason the MTA even put the emergency exits is because of public outcry over the unsafe human traps that they call "high turnstiles". When a crowded train unloads, critical mass will push people through the door. To hell with the MTA's anti-commuter money-saving policies.
It's only a problem if people use the doors on the way IN to evade paying a fare. Such fare evasion should be punished harshly. Otherwise, there's no reason why exiting customers (esp. with strollers, wheelchairs, etc.) shouldn't use this door.
I think these should stay broken, these emergency doors are my way of getting to ride the train whenever I need to for free.
I'm sure there's plenty more in new york to complain about besides this.
Shit, ride a bike for fuck's sake.