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The MTA is once again seeking to save money by expanding the practice of running trains without a conductor. The One Person Train Operation program, or by its robot name, "OPTO," has been previously stopped in the courts after objections were raised by the Transit Workers Union. The only instance an arbitrator has allowed the OPTO plan is late nights and weekends on the G line. Now the MTA would like to expand it to 7, L, J and M lines as well. A TWU spokesman told the Daily News, "Of course, this is one of management's demands. This is something the MTA has been pursuing the last two or three bargaining rounds and we continue to completely disagree with them." The last fight between the two was in 2006; it's unclear if the same arbiters will rule in the union's favor again or if robojudges have since ascended within the court system.
MTA Conductors Once Again Fear Rise of the Machines
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It's about time that these "extras" get the heave ho. There is no reason, especially given the assault on a platform a few weeks back, that these conductors are needed. Next up is to get rid of the drivers.
The riding public shouldn't be concerned.
Robots can ignore screaming rape victims just as well as "human" MTA conductors, but are less likely to show up for work bombed out of their minds.
I can't wait until the first train jumps its tracks at a crowded platform because HAL's brain shit the bed.
OPTO trains are controlled by the train operator, not by computer. Of course, statistics worldwide show that it'd be safer if they weren't, since human error is much more common than system failures in automated trains.
Jeez
How bad can one report get with the facts
OPTO trains are run by a HUMAN Train Operator and the doors are opened and closed by the same HUMAN
Where do robots come into the picture?
Could Gothamist please get a fact checker?
And... nothing in the article says otherwise. It specifically says, in fact, that OPTO trains are run "without a conductor." Nothing misleading, other than what any reader should be able to recognize as a joking headline. Unless you actually believe in the existence of "robojudges;" maybe that crack confused some people.
Anyone who can't handle a little joking with their "reporting" probably shouldn't be reading Gothamist.
http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/oneperson_train.pdf
No extra machines or robots.
Very misleading, Gothamist.
I think they would save more money by revising their pension plans.
Also they should develop machines that can scan the tracks for trash or cracks or whatever.
Are you talking moving trash or stationary trash?
1) how would you like it if someone just "revised" your savings account that you've been paying into and you just lost 100k?
2) they have these machines, they check the trueness of the rails, etc.
you're an ignorant dick.
At the very least, we can program robots so that they're not Tweeting and texting with a trainload of trusting commuters in tow.
Got's to know where the baby mama be. Sheet.
More investment in technology, less in providing a welfare program for the incompetent, including the union and MTA leadership, would save the system. Fire all booth clerks and car cleaners, use it for workfare like Parks does. Workfare folks couldn't perform any worse, and at much lower cost.
The live conductors already ignore people running for the doors right in front of them. What's the difference going to be?