MTA proposes new intercom system.2

New York- MTA Officials announced this week, amidst uproar from commuters that are noticing the impact of serious job cuts in the form of major delays and fare hikes, that a new system of intercoms is being developed to not only aid safety issues, but also to provide more information to travelers on the platform.

Earlier this year, The New York Post reported that the MTA was to lay off more than 1,000 employees this year, including 600 managers from every division, and 450 station agents. This news is right on the tail of the fare increase from $2.00 to $2.25, which is now in place.

“My train has been getting progressively later and later.” Leslie Manning, a 20-year-old student at Hunter College said. “I only have $200 in my account and [it’s] a lot of money. If it goes up I will be really upset, but there’s nothing I can do about it because I have to take the train. I can’t stop buying it.”

Charles Seaton, in charge of media relations at MTA, insists that the intercoms are not replacing any workers that have been laid off, but are being developed to replace an older system that is already on the platforms. The MTA seems quick to deny that any future technology is in the works to decrease the need for actual people in each station.

“No, no this is something new. We want to bring that kind of help to people who are on the platforms. That’s especially important.” Deirdre Parker, MTA media relations, said. “If your standing on the platform and you see something…like somebody falls on the track, then you don’t have to run anywhere you would just be right on the platform and press the emergency button.”

While commuters, like Manning, are aware that many jobs have been lost, they are still hoping that this new technology will improve current conditions.

“I think intercoms are a good idea. There are so many people that don’t know the subways. They get on the wrong train, and then jump in between the doors and delay the trains. These intercoms would absolutely make me feel safer, as a single female travelling alone I feel very uncomfortable sometimes.” Manning said.

When prompted about funding for the intercoms, particularly in correlation to the recent fare increase, Parker was quite defensive. “No not directly from the fare increase. It’s all part of the overall operating budget. But I don’t think you could make a specific connection between where the money is coming in and where it is going out.