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Just think of how many more people could cram into each subway car if there were no seats! That's the idea behind the latest MTA plan which WNBC reports will bring flip-up seats underground. The seats will be unforgiving during rush hour, as they'll be locked in the up position. Hmm, this isn't going to help the different lines raise their grades!
The pilot program will feature the seats in 4 of 10 cars, and "officials hope to squeeze more people -- as many as 18 percent more -- inside such cars." No word yet on which line will test out the program, or when it will reach all trains, but the roll out program will start later this year (as early as 5 months from now). To the elderly, pregnant and others who require seats...you've been warned.
The Daily News talked to some straphangers about the plan, and while one said: "I'd rather be on time than be comfortable," others disagreed. After all, we all know what the Tokyo subway system looks like during rush hour -- and they instituted a similar plan in 1990.
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Why exactly would the "soon-to-be-pregnant" require seats?
I'm surprised so many of you dislike it in the poll. I hate taking the train in rush hour and having to stand on the edge of the platform with a crowd of people behind me to have any chance of getting on.
Well, I added it because of anyone who will be pregnant, but it is unnecessary.
What I'd love is for people to move into the train car and not block the train entrances.
Commuting by bicycle is looking better and better. Except for New York's Finest, of course.
I forgot to add that this is a godawful idea. As if living here in recent years hasn't been dehumanizing enough, now we all get to ride to work in a cattle car.
Wouldn't it be a better idea if the MTA only installed flip-up seats on half of each car? You'll still get to pack in 9% more during the rush but there will still be seats available for those who need them.
I rather they install couches and get rid of the overhead bars and have rings instead like they have in Tokyo.
what about the elderly, disabled, and fatbodies?
there are a lot of people who ride the train who need a seat.
It's an idea worth trying out.
I like uhh's idea. Install flip-seats on half the train for all the cars, instead of for all the seats on half the cars.
I like Uhh's idea too, although it may be placing too much faith in the kindness of strangers.
The MTA must really think we're cattle.
First modernize the signals and run more trains. Then, finish the "T" line.
The MTA never anticipated the growth in ridership caused by our lax
immigration laws and now we're all paying the price. When compared to
other cities, our subway is an abomination.
We want banquettes and soft lighting.
It's worth trying, at least at rush hour. I wonder though - the more people you pack on a train the slower it tends to run. Ever notice how speedy subways can be off hours? Will the packed cars actually slow the system down? I don't know the physics behind it but it's worth considering.
Uhh's idea is illogical. Because people would have to MOVE when a person needs to flip down a seat, and that ain't happenin.
Maybe they should also make the entire side of the subway open up so there's no doors. Then people can get on or off with ease.
Hahahahah.
Also, if there are flip up seats locked into place during rush hour, I totally foresee vandalism, and lots of seats that won't stay up anymore tripping people up. Either have the seats or don't have seats, I guess.
Maybe they should offer a half price discount to people willing to let other people sit on their laps. Or offer to sedate people who have the longest trips, and put them on shelves arranged in order of debarkation.
Another great idea would be to simply puree people and pour them in.
And I agree with wiseguynyc: it's PEOPLE who slow down the trains.
Why would people need to move? The seats are locked in place at the beginning of the line at rush hour, so there's nobody on board, so nobody has to move.
Even if its slower, it won't be slower by much. it still beats waiting for the next crowded train.
Let's try it and see how it goes.
I am guessing that the people who don't have a problem with this idea don't have a very long commute. How would you like to stand for over an hour before you have to go to work?? I wonder what the price of this no seat installation would cost versus just adding more trains during rush hour. It seems like as the price goes up the more "benefits" we lose.
It's an incredibly stupid idea. I can't believe there are people who think it would improve anything.
What are the extra people in the subway car going to hold on to then?
Flip-up seats will break. That's a guarantee. More maintance. More money down the drain.
Now except for the 4-5-6, trains don't get so packed that you would need this. This is an obvious attempt decrease service while keeping up "capacity".
And someone will figure out a way to unlock them during rushour.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I second that 'rings' handle a la Tokyo trains, but knowing the damn teenage animals and their acrobatics ..... it would just be even more annoying.
On second thought, keep the handles.
What are the extra people in the subway car going to hold on to then?
The handrails? The ones that are above the seats always seem underutilized.
Now except for the 4-5-6, trains don't get so packed that you would need this.
Well I wouldn't want them on all the lines. Just the ones that get so packed that you can't get on and have to wait for the next train. I suggest the 1 train in addition to the 4-5-6.
I am guessing that the people who don't have a problem with this idea don't have a very long commute. How would you like to stand for over an hour before you have to go to work??
I have an hour long commute. I already have to stand on my commute home everyday.
The handrails? The ones that are above the seats always seem underutilized.
Because a lot of people can't either reach them or can't hold on to them comfortably. They need to install side rails on these seatless trains.
I have an hour long commute. I already have to stand on my commute home everyday.
Good for you. Wait until your youthful health and strength disappears. Then your tune will change.
I thought the trains moved slow in the morning not because of the number of people on there but because there are more trains during rush hour and they can't easily tell how far away is the train in front of them; so they have to move slower.
How about a flip-up door? One entire side of the subway car opens up Bck-to-the-future-style allowing passengers to pile in with great efficiency. The door then comes down, secures, and the train drives off.
Seems like a lot of the problems the flip-up seats are trying to solve would be solved by better access to the train in rush-hour situations.
Seems like a regressive action.
Besides handicapped, seniors, pregnant folk & kids
it will hurt people who have to ride the train for a long time, like people who can't afford to live close to where they work. Can you imagine riding 3 hours a day standing because you live towards the end of a line?
The possibility of a seat is the only compensation for people who already have long train commutes.
It seems like it could be hardest on the people who are the most dependent on public transit.
I'm sure the MTA has better options for moving more people without punishing riders. Though maybe not cheaper options
how about this idea... we fire all of the MTA employees except the track workers and a few to manage then take the billions saved in salaries, lifetime pensions and benefits and completely automate the trains and get more of them on the tracks... I know that would make me happy, and they'd probably have a surplus to boot.
great idea, in an age of terrorism and increasing crime. Lets cram even more people on a car with the same few exits so they really cant get out or even move. I agree with [27], the MTA needs to lose a lot of personnel, especially these "idea" guys.
Another great idea would be to simply puree people and pour them in.
Yeah but think of all that space-hogging water...turning passengers into jerky or freeze drying might remedy this issue.
I like the roll-up or flip-up door idea, but given how many delays occur now with people holding doors open, I can only imagine the new set of problems that might result.
Still, somehow convincing door-lurkers to move into the center of the car would give the MTA a much better idea of the current system's actual capacity
If the MTA won't build new train lines, its time to do what an alternative proposal to SAS said and previous in NYC subways was done.
LENGTHEN THE TRAINS AND PLATFORMS!!!!!!!
You can see how short the original trains were on this pic, its the bump sticking out of the wall on the left.
Its time to extend the platforms to 12 or 14 cars and extend the trains likewise. Every 2 long trains will now be 3 nowadays trains.
Even 16 or more is do able if you add another conductor for door closing.
LIRR regularly runs trains that are 24 IRT trains, or 20 short IND/BMT trains (E, L, J, M, Z or new N trains) or 16 long IND/BMT trains (R, F, G, V, B, Q, D) long with no problems. Imagine that capacity in the subway.
Now how the heck are fat people going to be able to take up TWO seats at a time! This is just more insensitivity on the part of the MTA.
Maybe they should institute congestion pricing: want a seat? Pay for it!
This is great!!! I am disabled and cannot stand up for more than a few minutes.
This idea is ridiculous and is going to make people hate the MTA even more.
I agree with the posters who said the doors/location of doors need to be fixed. In a crowded subway, it's near impossible to get from the middle of the car to one of the doors.
i assume you travel on every other line in the subway system during rush hour to say the 4-5-6 are the only lines that got so packed
try riding on any line coming from queens boulevard some time... I don't even take those line and i know that much
get a clue
Great--subway cars in which every single seat makes that gunshot noise when stupid people stand up!
Whoa whoa whoa. Why haven't I heard of this? Awful idea! I'd rather be late to work than have to sniff a stranger's armpit (even if it's first thing in the morning, when the deodorant is freshly applied). Everyone's boss may not be as forgiving as mine, but those people can always leave home 15 minutes earlier.
Oh, fucking great. The 4 train is so fucking bumpy that I can't stand on it for more than 20 minutes without getting dizzy and having to take a seat; now what am I supposed to do, sit on the floor? Oh, and screw all those elderly people, people who stand all day at their jobs, pregnant women with swollen ankles, and anyone with a broken or sprained limb.