Earlier this morning, train operator Domenick Occhiogrosso, 50, suffered a fatal heart attack "while guiding the train out of the Court Square station in Queens," reports City Room. The train stopped because of its "dead man's switch." The Post explains, "Once he released his grip from the handle on the control panel, the train stopped as if someone pulled the emergency brake. The train can’t move unless the handle is compressed. On newer cars, the motorman has to hold down a bar with his foot, and on the L line, the operator must press a button every 30 seconds." more ›

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Update: The Gothamist Newsmap has identified the two people struck by a train at Hoyt-Schermerhorn station as transit workers. The commenter below points out that it looks like at least one death at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station with someone trapped between the platform and a train. A transit worker was killed earlier this week at the Columbus Circle station. more ›

After months (and probably years) of planning, the MTA and Mastercard unveiled the contactless payment system at 30 subway stations along the 6 line - plus two non 6 stations in Queens, you know, where the Citibank building is at Court Square. We saw the sensors back in June, and now the whole test is called "The NYC Subway Trial." Which is kind of unfortunate, because it made us think about how sometimes riding the subway is a trial in and of itself. Those in the program would tap their Citbank Mastercard keychain fobs against the sensor (the rider would pre-purchase rides on their Citbank account). The problem is the fares are per ride (with every 6th ride being free) - there's not "Unlimited Metrocard" feature. And you can't use it on buses. But we'll find out more in the coming months - the trial will last through December 31. more ›

In a subject near and dear to our hearts, the NY Times has an article on the G train today and how the MTA is moving the G towards full-time OPTO (One-Person Train Operation) despite increased ridership. Unlike most trains in the subway system, the G is a shorty, operating with four cars at all times and without a conductor on weekends. So while moving to full-time OPTO may not seem like such a change, the article does mention the possible loss of the "G train sprint". The sprint is much more than your typical run for the train. Riders on the G sometimes have to run half the length of the platform to catch the train. Usually when the conductor sees this, they will wait for the sprinting riders, but without a conductor, will the G train sprint become passé? (We hope not because it kind of serves as our daily exercise routine.) more ›

- And the G was suspended from Court Square to Fourth Avenue and the E was suspended in Manhattan.Also, here are this weekend's subway reroutings. more ›

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Is this the opening salvo to proud New Yorkers heralding their neighborhoods? Will we see BoCoCa from the Smith and 9th Street stop? Will hipsters on the LES paint the subway tunnels? Oh the possibilities. more ›

Starting this week in New York City, Citigroup Security and Investigative Services will begin regular patrols accompanied by security trained dogs. The patrols will take place at 111 Wall Street, 250 West Street, 333 West 34th Street, 388 and 390 Greenwich Street, 399 Park Avenue, and Court Square.

Jeff Croteau, Librarian in G-Training more ›