| Have something to tell us at The Call? Drop us a line at thecall@ny1.com and we'll post it to our blog. |
|
| | J O H N S C H I U M O
H O S T |
More pumps to move the water, and more station agents and buses to move the people. The MTA's solution to prevent massive delays to the subway system sounds simple enough. On paper, it also appears to be a sufficient band-aid for the next time it rains. Too bad band-aids won't be enough. Our infrastructure needs emergency surgery.
Three inches of rain affected millions of New Yorkers yesterday when flooding snarled the entire subway system. More rain is forecasted for tomorrow, so MTA Executive Director Lee Sander announced more pumps will be in place at key locations, more personnel will be present at stations and more buses will be running.
Are you confident the MTA is prepared for the next storm, or are you bracing for another rough morning commute? If you ran the MTA, what would you do to improve communication during an emergency?
Send us your thoughts right now using the link above.
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
The TA has track areas throughout the system with clogged drains. When water pours into the system, there's nowhere for the water to go. When it's near the third rail level, that section of track, between the two closest turnaround points has to be shut down until the water is removed. The TA is sitting on Federal drainage funds but has not properly used them, and a report was issued last spring about storm drainage, but Peter Kalikow refused to release it.
Jon from Union Square
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I have no faith in the transit system..... plus the system itself is antiquated.... what happened yesterday was a disgrace.. I can only hope we don't have a repeat.. cause the storm that's coming doesn't look good...
Debbie
South St Seaport
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I checked all the main channel's (incl. NY1) for any service alerts. There were no mentions of the E,F, & 6 not being in service. So, I went to the train station, and before I swiped my card(I was suspicious, because the station was empty), I asked a transit worker, if the E or F was working. He said "No", but the 7 was working. I knew I could take the 7 & then the 6 uptown to 68 & Lex. Unfortunately, the train was so crowded that I didn't get out in time, so I got out, at 42nd & Bryant Park, instead. I took the F (back towards Queens) & got off at 63rd & Lex and walked the rest of the way to work. When I got to work, people told me the 6 train was not running, so it was a good thing that I missed the Grand Central stop.
I have 4 points:
1) In business today, we think of strategies to gain customers by building confidence and constantly improving customer service to the point where we now have to wear "Ask Me" badges and ask, "How did I serve you, today?" My only rationale for why the MTA has not jumped on the band wagon, is that they are not concern w/gaining a larger customer base, so they can continue to act in this deplorable manner.
2) I've been a commuter for almost a year, and I'm just getting the hang of the different routes of getting to where I need to go, in case stuff like this happens. It's like 1 of the rites of passage, before becoming a true NYker. But, I feel sorry for the unfamiliar, who do not know the lines and connections. There is no one to help with directions.
3) Some viewers mentioned that we'd "lighten" up, and just take the day off. There is a population of workers who are a) new at a job, & have not accrued any days b) on hourly wage - "no work" no pay, c) in a company that simply expects you to come in, no matter what.
4) Obviously, expections of our transit system is not at all high. At this point, we're not too concern w/ swiping our cards & going no where. I think we can all agree that, minimally, we deserve the right information at the right time, so we can better and more effectively, plan our commute. That all we're asking for. MTA's website was intermittent, transit workers were just standing at the turnstiles-not offering help, but pointing to a 'hand written ' sign posted on the turnstiles (63rd & Lex), and media did not have the latest updates. And if they did, it was after most commuters left their homes (before 7:30am).
New Commuter
Queens
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
"Are you confident the MTA is prepared for the next storm, or are you bracing for another rough morning commute?"
I have no confidence in the MTA!!
Sheila
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
Am I confident in the MTA? Never had a reason to be in the past, certainly not confident in their "capabilities" now. They dropped the ball (again) and will most likely drop the ball tomorrow too.
The MTA has enough money stashed to have been better prepared for yesterday's fiasco. If I ran the MTA, I would put off any plans for building of new subway lines and spend the money on improving the current system: i.e., clean the platform areas, make them all new and air conditioned, as well as safer, a sound system that actually works, with personnel at EVERY stop to assist anyone with questions and in case of emergencies.
The priorities of the MTA has to stop being the CEOs and instead be for the riders who PAY for the "services" we're supposed to be getting.
Before Mayor B. pushes any more for congestion pricing, he should call his "friends" at MTA and make them produce a better "product" so that he can justify congestion pricing. We need a proper, up-to-date method of getting to work -- this IS New York, you know! There are no excuses for yesterday's mess!
Dina and Ed of Throggs Neck.
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
All the executives talked about was websites and the internet as a means of communiction. Seriously, what if the internet is not accessible? How about an old-fashioned car with a mega phone telling people walking along Fourth Avenue to Atlantic/Pacific subway what is happening? Or text messaging?
Also, a question for Lee Sanders of the MTA: If the subway drainage system, the infrastructure, is aged and needs updating, and obviously this is extremely costly, why were the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn sold below mark rate and not on the open market?
Monica
Greenwood Heights
Brooklyn
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
Gee 3 inches of rain can paralyze the so called big apple. The troika of Bloomberg, Spitzer, an Sanders equals liar, liar and liar. They know our subway conditions, inadequate pumps (especially in Queens) and the hell with the riding public. I guess our hypocrite mayor can always jump into his SUV and avoid the mess that 3 inches of rain can cause. Sanders is proving to be an empty suit and another smooth talker. Oh well on with the three ring circus and send in the clowns of Bloomberg, Spitzer and Sanders.
Howard from Flushing
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
When I see an exodus moving from subway stop to the other, I will exactly what I did Wednesday. I walked back home. If it takes me two or more hours to get to work, it will take me another three or four to unwind and I worry all day will I get home. Once I lose focus I waste my company’s time anyway. I will do more good by staying home and preparing for tomorrow.
Donald
Upper West Side
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
Governor Spitzer rain (no pun) these folks in before the rainy season starts. Our mass transit is sic transit the bane of western civilization. Its an embarassment compared to Lisbon, Madrid, Paris and London. They should be precluded from a fare increase and they should pay us to use their system. labryrynthe of arcane rules like sick passengers, stopping for trains on opposite tracks, open coffee container fines and the trains and buses are no-shows. Unaccepatble, comical and it shouldnt be tolerated. Its actually worse under new guy than under kallikow and Im a DEMOCRAT. watch the closin door
John
Kissena Park
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I am not at all confident with the MTA. They need to cut their red tape and start working for the millions of people who take their trains and buses every day. I give the local and Express buses some credit for putting up with the crawling of rush hour yesterday but the trains no way. The people who take these trains deserve to be credited back for yesterday and all the days of the past like it. This is one reason why I really feel the MTA has NO RIGHT to raise the rates till at least Dec 2009.
CIN
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
The MTA cannot and never will be able to get out of its own way. They are totally incompetent. If it was a real business they would be in Chapter 11.
Rich
Midtown East
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I'm going to drive in as always.
Mark
Queens
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
John,
The infrastructure needs to be maintained and that is the problem. If the suit and tie types would stop being on TV with the Mayor claiming to be on top of things and get the personnel to get things done then maybe I would believe that hey are on top of things. Too much political jockeying instead of getting the job done. There is no reason in the world that the greatest city in the world should have no train service because of rain. Back in the 1940's we had 20 inches of snow and transportation seemed to be running so I'm told. Let's get with the program. The money is there It should be spent wisely.
Jeanne
Flushing, NY
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
Weeks before the MTA had the audacity to talk about fare increase which at that time I have strongly opposed. The recent wheater related problems showed that even minimal difficulties they are unable to handle, not mentioning my main complain of station cleanless the the permiating stench of urine in stations and its elevators. Lately I only take buses where I am not afraid to throw up.
Joseph from Sunnyside
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
John,
While the current forecast does not appear to anticipate the concentrated burst of rain that occurred yesterday, I plan to take the bus instead of the subway. It'll take longer because of traffic on Flatbush Avenue, but it beats finding out the trains are not running or (worse yet) getting stuck in a tunnel.
Faye from Brooklyn
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I think the MTA will still be unprepared, since it seems like they always are. This is almost the same thing that happened in September 2004, with the massive NYC flooding. The NWS should not be blamed. That was a cheap attack by the MTA. With the money they get the tunnels should be up to date, heck everything should be state of the art.
Tahj
Bronx
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I think the entire subway system will be okay, except for the Queens Blvd. corridor where I live.
Lisa
Forest Hills
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
they didn't do good job on their website structure
only time people visit MTA's website is during a situation like yesterdat to get info but their site always crash in this type of day because their IT department did not build web servers infrustructure to serve to massive amount of users. I am a senior network engineer and I work for private company. It's very simple to configure website to be able to server millions of users simultaniously.
However MTA either don't spend the money on it or they don't have experts do it.
Syed
Network Engineer
Queens, NY
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
how to improve communications during an emergency. install data screens that actually inform people. OMG! use walkies to keep workers updated on conditions and then appoint/hire someone who's sole responsibility is to communicate during emergencies, failures, etc. - have 15 minute updates via megaphone if necessary.
Kay
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
John,
Along with distributing info via typical news media outlets and the MTA's existing infrastructure, the MTA should install digital displays in every station booths. All booths are equipped with phones. These phone lines can immediately double as data lines that can carry up-to-the-minute info to these displays. It's feasable. I'm an Information technology consultant.
I'd pay a higher fare for this type of info.
Felix
Riverdale
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I watched NY 1 before I left yesterday & the report said subways were running. Once I got to the subway, I discovered throngs of people who had been walking Queens Blvd searching for a bus, the LIRR or a cab for sometime.
Tuesday evening, the Director of the MTA spoke on NY 1 about problems with the website. the discussion encompassed long range plans for website changes & email blasts.
How does that help the ordinary commuter today? How about an old fashioned 'spokesperson' who is updated by the MTA immediately as events change and then provides live reports on local radio and television stations? At least people would know the facts while still at home. Many people would have delayed their commute or stayed home had they known the situation. Fewer commuters, especially in Queens, would have minimized the problem.
Terri
Forest Hills
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
The young lady you showed was right. The subway has been around for years and rain has been around since time. Either this has happened since they were built or they have been neglected. Politicians are making excuses and blaming but it really is that simple. I find it hard to believe the system was built without a regard to rain.... will they please stop the excuses and fix it! Clear the drains-use the pumps. As they say-working will take less time than excuses.
Lisa
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
I don't know why NY'ers are so mad at the MTA, they did not create Wednesday's storm, there was nothing anybody could do, this was truly an act of nature, How can you stop rain from falling? I dare anyone to answer that one...Now I'm hearing rumblings about shifting some of that blame towards the meterologist? it's sad that we live in a city that instead of facing natures facts, we elect instead to play that blame game, shame,shame... Now that we all know what to expect from storm days, may I suggest we plan ahead, leave home earlier, have an alternate travel plan, use a vacation or sick day or just call in, with all this talk about what are we going to do, "if it rains again," I wonder if anyone realizes how that statement sounds, ridiculous.We cannot say we are not told by our meterologist, when inclement weather approaches, what I saw from this storm is that the MTA is really not equipped to handle the overload of people who flocked to their many buses on Wed, NY 'ers don't see that this state is overcrowded, and growing larger everyday, if MB (The Mayor) "Congestion Pricing Plan" is approved, it will not stop the onslaught of traffic through NYC, However.. it will overcrowd the Transit system much more than what we saw Wednesday 8/8/07. are we really prepared for that?
Marsha
Far Rockaway
| | T H E C A L L
V I E W E R E - M A I L |
The lesson that decaying infrastructure--whether it is Con Ed steam pipes or MTA drainage pipes--should teach us New Yorkers is that we are not all that different from the New Orleans folks who waited days for relief from Katrina. Our melting pot city is taken for granted by the rest of the U.S. If we were all white and upper middle class, our trains might run on time and have clean, air-conditioned stations that don't flood with every rain storm, but then we wouldn't be New York City. All those congressmen living in their Architectural Digest retreats might want to consider, however, the eventual cost of redlining the Big Apple. Without New York City, the United States is basically Australia. LA and Chicago are nice, but they ain't New York. Latter day versions of "Drop Dead New York" will ultimately have New Yorkers getting on trains for Toronto or some other civilized city.
Vincent
Jackson Heights