Reply With QuoteThere's no law saying you can't drive in NYC. The difference is that NYC is the only US city that you don't need to own a car. You have the realistic option of not owning a car.Originally Posted by Tonina
I agree that London's subway/underground system is cleaner & more modern than NYCs. But NYCs system is far more reliable (see my previous post) and runs 24 hours.
NYC is upgrading the subways. One by one, various stations are being renovated. And the last of the old "redbird" subway trains have been retired completely, while the new R142 trains with regenerative braking systems are about as modern as they get.
http://www.nycsubway.org/cars/r142.html
http://brooklyn.about.com/library/weekly/aa072200a.htm
There's no law saying you can't drive in NYC. The difference is that NYC is the only US city that you don't need to own a car. You have the realistic option of not owning a car.
The subways had a bad two decades in the '70s and '80s, and the MTA is still working to repair the damage. When you have such an old system, upkeep is hard. Stations are currently being repaired, upgraded and renovated all the time, even though all too often the work progresses way too slowly. The real-time information displays for when the next train is coming are coming to New York, and all in all things are a lot better than they used to be. And the subways may be dirty, but they're very safe by any city's standards.
When I went to London the Underground stations and tracks themselves were pretty clean, but the trains were terribly cramped and the seat cushions often had gum stuck to them. There were no garbage cans (rubbish bins) in the stations for fear of a terrorist leaving a bomb in one, and even though they have staff to pick up waste I just felt guilty about dropping my garbage on the platform.
Valid points. I'm suprised that New York hasn't banned trashcans in the subway for fear of bombs.
Hmmm. Good point.
In Boston all our subway trashbins were replaced with blastproof models following 9/11.
Hard to believe the MTA hasn't taken this simple measure.
Its only advantage I'm aware of. The Underground's neglect is glaring and acknowledged.London provides signs letting you know how long till the next train arrives
MIND THE GAP!... MIND THE GAP!... MIND THE GAP!...
Is displaying the next train ETA really that useful?
"Oh, I better not light this cigarette, the train is just a minute away."
(On cell phone) "Honey, looks like I'll be six minutes late."
(On cell phone to the MTA) "The schedule says the train is supposed to arrive at 8:21, but the digital sign says 8:24!"
If the underground is neglected I don't know what you would call NYC's system. Abandoned perhaps? As far as the schedule listings, it's just a nice feature to have. As is the ready availability of internet access phones around London that New York is only now getting. Aren't they introducing 4 of them here or something? Sadly, I guarantee you they'll be vandalised or otherwise inoperable within a couple months in NY.
Knowing that the next train is coming beyond hearing/feeling/seeing it would be useful. The DC train system is like that and I think its a great feature. NYC's train system is great, but antiquated in a lot of ways still - this is one of them. Another is that all trains are switched by people - nothing is automated.
You don't need to know
Useful....how? Great feature....why?Knowing that the next train is coming beyond hearing/feeling/seeing it would be useful. The DC train system is like that and I think its a great feature.
It think it makes people feel like they are acknowledged somehow, that their need to know is assuaged...even if by a computer.
Can you envision a scenario where I go into the subway station, see how long it will take for the train to get there, then think I'm better off taking a cab whereby I run back up to the street and hail one?
This is just nonsense in an attempt to put down NY. Nothing is based on fact. The funny part is, this person also seems to think that NYC is only, maybe, midtown Manhattan.
What are you all talking about???
Trains in NYC dont need to tell you when they are coming. They are for the most part on time and they come a couple of minutes apart for the most day. They are reliable in my experience.
Try to use the Philadelphia metro system one day and you know where I am coming from.
London should do the same thing instead of spending $$$ on stations.
Re: You don't need to know
[quote="Jasonik"]Ever notice yourself rubbernecking looking to see when the next train is coming? This is a relief for this. DCs subway is a great example, you get very used to having the heads-up. Don't be so afraid of change...information is good. Eventually this will be incorporated..its inevitable.Useful....how? Great feature....why?
Tonina, you have a right to your opinion re. NY's subway system, but I honestly don't know how someone could prefer London. Did you ever ride outside London's central core? While most of London's main stations are renovated, few of the outer lines are in good shape. Ride any line deep into East London. There is no line in NY in such awful shape. I'm interested which lines you take in NY that are so bad.
London's system actually recruited the former director of NY's system to save London's rails.
NY is getting the electronic scheduling system. It's due to be installed in a couple years.
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