Police is one thing, but National Guard seems a bit like overkill for what is essentially the underground TSA.
A procrastination in of itself
The governor has said that it’s due to a bunch of violent crimes occurring, are the MTA just TSA style back checkers or are they more like BTP in the UK, a full on police force with responsibility for dealing with any crime on the transport system (including terrorism and murder)?
Edited by Silasw on Mar 21st 2024 at 7:23:42 PM
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
MTA New York City Transit is the agency responsible for managing NY's public transport system.
You probably want to refer to the NYPD's Transit Bureau. They're responsible for policing the subway.
It's a show of force ultimately to get the public to calm down. The bag checks aren't anywhere comprehensive in terms of actually covering all 300+ stations — NYPD's never had the manpower to pull that off.
Edited by megarockman on Mar 21st 2024 at 9:20:04 AM
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
It's also running directly into one really huge question about this stuff.
How much does this endeavour actually cost and is it less than the amount of fares lost? And how are "fares lost" being determined here?
Not Three Laws compliant.
Trouble is the annual numbers dropped during COVID. It's slowly returning but is still only at 65% compared to 2019
which I think would put fares lost around 400-500 million. Its obviously hard to determine the cause though and there're probably many factors (more people working from home etc) but there has been a spike in crime on the subway including murder (8 in 2021, 9 in 2022, 3 so far this year) plus a mass shooting in 2022 (fortunately no deaths).
Edited by Gaiazun on Mar 21st 2024 at 8:58:43 AM
"Lost fares" also have to factor in the percentage of system users who bypass the fare gates, which have apparently gone up significantly in the past few years. This includes both those who use the emergency exit doors that are supposed to be for those needing assistance like wheelchair users but end up allowing more people through because shutting the door in front of someone is rude, and more brazen turnstile-jumpers.
Speaking of New York transit: the MTA has given final approval for congestion pricing for Lower and Midtown Manhattan starting in June. Tolls to enter south of 60th Street are initially set at $15 for passenger vehicles, $24-$36 for trucks, $7.50 for motorcycles; some exemptions (e.g., school buses and government vehicles) and discounts for off-peak entry (after 9 PM) and for other tolled entryways directly into the defined zone (e.g., Lincoln and Holland Tunnels from New Jersey, Queens-Midtown across the East River) may apply, though fewer than had initially been hoped for. There are still lawsuits pending to stop the plan from being implemented, especially from those who live outside and drive to commute, but the MTA does not expect them to succeed apparently.
MTA expects that this will result in 17% fewer cars in the defined area and $15 billion in new revenue.
Edited by megarockman on Mar 28th 2024 at 11:26:30 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/nyregion/subway-national-guard-police.html
The MTA New York City Transit has a presence of New York National Guard and State Police. There's a mixed bag of reactions.