Subway Intercom System Joining 21st Century!

Fun fact: New York's subway platforms are equipped with intercoms which can, theoretically, be used to summon help in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, many of them are inconspicuously positioned, and they all have a built-in feature that automatically terminates the call after two minutes. Because we all know how tedious emergency calls tend to get after a couple of minutes. But a new intercom pilot program is set to change all that, with fancy new intercoms equipped with "calming" blue lights!

According to Antenna Design New York, the so-called Help Point Intercom system features an ADA-compliant customer interface , and consists of a microphone, speaker, red emergency call button and green information call button. They'll be posted every 150 feet or so, and a camera in the device will enable responders at NYC Transit's Rail Control Center to see the caller and the platform. The pilot program is expected to start within a few months, and if successful, the new call boxes will be installed across the 468-station system next summer. NYC Transit President Thomas Prendergast tells the Daily News, "It sounds trite, but seconds can save lives."

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By John Del Signore in News on September 27, 2010 10:46 AM

Comments [rss]

Robert Mack

The cost is 300,000 per station x 468 stations or around $150,000,000.

John L

When they announce these things I wish they would also include:

- How much it's going to cost,
- What company is providing it
- And who's family member works or owns for said company
- And what politician got bribed to make sure the deal went through.

tsol

Ignoring passenger's cries for help has come to the 21st century!

nycpat

Deaf people get help how? Station Agents had to have pencil and paper.

Jonathan

Fancy Intercoms == Increase the metrocard prices...

whitecastlerock

Let's hope they install these on the shuttle buses as well !

Stevennnn

How much is this costing the MTA?

dc4416

Who cares what they call it? It is a help point isn't it? So why should they spend more money and waste more time trying to come up with a another name. Why re-invent the wheel.

EricGewiz

How can they? Jay Walder used to work for the Underground

Guest

ooh, new and shiny. and the calm blue light is really awesome.

now, can you make something that will also prevent us from getting r*aped monetarily over and over from the MTA? thank you.

Kojak

Help Point?! Stop ripping off the Underground. Come up with your own shit.

cmdrogogov

I don't really care who they rip off, as long as they start doing something, ANYTHING to make the subway less of a perennial embarrassment to the city as a whole.