Tag: transit

MTA Disaster Preparedness

a fascinating article about how the MTA prepared for sandy, and what they are going to do differently in the future.

When the next hurricane is headed toward New York City, some differences in subway preparations will be noticeable, but most will not. Maybe you will see a new, stronger, plastic replacement for plywood. You will see a few new-style vent and entrance covers. But you might not see too many futuristic gadgets. “We have to work with what we have. I remember the MTA saying that if we are going to completely strengthen the system, then we will have to stop running the system”. But it could be strengthened piecemeal, and Deodatis can’t understand why the M.T.A. opened the South Ferry station so recently without a floodgate of some kind. “To me, this is still a huge question.”

If i ran the MTA

my poor experience today reminded me that i have tons of ideas for how to improve the MTA, so here goes. many of those wouldn’t be major capital projects or would pay for themselves very quickly. add your ones if you like.

  • make all buses select. no more front entrance only
  • introduce a yearly card and incentivize people to buy it
  • disincentivize buying single rides
  • eliminate the option to pay the driver
  • add ticket machines on the bus and remove them on the station
  • reopen the bathrooms in the subway
  • secure and make passing between cars convenient
  • create more retail space and rent it out
  • add exits at both ends of all platforms
  • add next departure screens at the entrance to the subway
  • get a sponsor to provide free wifi on the whole network
  • on stations where it is possible, open doors on both sides
  • paint signs onto the platforms how to stand aside when the doors open
  • automate the cars and make the redundant drivers into fare controllers
  • eliminate the unions
  • sell more sponsorships, where the whole train is themed
  • eliminate school busses and give all kids a metro card
  • investigate using the subway for cargo, not just trash
  • accelerate faster to increase average speed
  • use materials for the stations that aren’t as grimy
  • add next departure for busses
  • create more bus lanes