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Nominated by Governor Paterson to lead the MTA, Jay Walder, who grew up in Queens and took the A train, said at a press conference yesterday, "The taxpayers and riding public need to understand and believe they are getting value for money in the way we operate the trains, buses, bridges and tunnels, and in the way we undertake the massive capital investments that are underway... That has to be an immediate focus. We must restore the public trust and confidence in this organization." The former MTA executive director and, more recently, Transport for London planning and finance director also admitted he'll have "to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions." Walder didn't indicate whether he'll bring a London Underground's Oyster-type swipeless smart card to the MTA (here's a comparison from the Times) but he's previously said NYC Transit would be ready for some kind of smart card. State Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) said there would be a long confirmation hearing process, "This is just not a game warden at the Adirondack Park. It's the MTA's chief operating office."
MTA Chair Nominee: "We Must Restore Public Trust"
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not exactly NY news, but it's one more reason to hate hamas terrorists and the fascists in their mid
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Good luck!
Uhhhhhh the last MetroCard turnstiles were installed in 1997 and we only fully phased out tokens for MetroCards in 2003. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MetroCard_(New_York_City)
Wasn't that whole system expensive enough? It seems to work just fine. Why do we need a new system? Making it easier to part you with your money, making it easier to track who you are and where you go.
Hopefully these are just rumors, but where there's money to be made for the city and probably someone's pal who owns the company that makes the technology you never know... a coupla kickbacks to the right gov't officials for getting the contract will getcha far when money's tight.
Doesnt the MTA keep raising fares because of "rising costs" or someshit?
Talk of now moving from MetroCards to these Oyster Card type technology is not only ridiculous but obscenely wasteful.
There are better comments than mine here:
I really don't think Kruger is in any position to vet anyone when it comes to the MTA considering the hell he put us through.
Yay Jay Walder! Bring us to the Promised Land!
bhahahaha
trust the MTA?
whatchUtalkinbout Walder?
Wow. Cynical much?
"We have to somehow convince the people that I am trustworthy, and not a beady-eyed fucking insane person. Quick, put a bag over my head!"
I will say this for the MTA, it's been a while since the trains stopped due to rain.
I still say Peter Kalikow should be publicly hanged.
One needs to gain public trust before they can restore it.
I moved here from Chicago last year, and they have the non-swipe "touch card" system. They are amazing, fast and convenient. You can go online to hook them up to your bank account or credit card to auto-load whenever you get low. No more realizing you need to refill your card while you're at the turnstile.
And yes, you may think "all that money to replace something that works fine," but everyoen said the same thing in Chicago before they rolled it out. And now they wouldn't live without them.
And to everyone who says "no way I'm giving them my bank/credit card info," I ask, do you always refill your card with cash? If you've ever used a card at the machines, they have your info.
the oyster card is wasteful, unnecessary and inefficient:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=problems+%22oyster+card%22&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
the oyster card brings up identity theft and civil rights concerns:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22civil+rights%22+%22oyster+card%22&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
the metro card works just fine, we dont need to spend more money on a new system