Comments on: Adding more bureacracy is never a good idea http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/ A New York City Subway Blog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:18:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » Sander, Roberts staking much on NYCT reorganization http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6516 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » Sander, Roberts staking much on NYCT reorganization Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:22:35 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6516 [...] we trust Lee Sander and Howard Roberts? That’s really the question behind this line manager plan New York City Transit will begin to implement on [...] [...] we trust Lee Sander and Howard Roberts? That’s really the question behind this line manager plan New York City Transit will begin to implement on [...]

]]> By: Benjamin Kabak http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6444 Benjamin Kabak Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:44:07 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6444 Thanks for that link, Scott. To excuse myself a bit, the bureaucracy comment was really just the first thing that had come to mind before Roberts made the announcement. I'll take a further look at this plan tonight. I think it could work if they can duplicate the success they had with breaking the bus divisions up by borough. Thanks for that link, Scott. To excuse myself a bit, the bureaucracy comment was really just the first thing that had come to mind before Roberts made the announcement. I’ll take a further look at this plan tonight. I think it could work if they can duplicate the success they had with breaking the bus divisions up by borough.

]]> By: Kid Twist http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6443 Kid Twist Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:34:57 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6443 If it's done right, this sounds to me like an attempt to replicate the successes that the Police Department has had. The NYPD holds precinct commanders responsible for the crime situation in their territories and gives them the authority to attack problems head-on. It's considered a huge success. If it’s done right, this sounds to me like an attempt to replicate the successes that the Police Department has had. The NYPD holds precinct commanders responsible for the crime situation in their territories and gives them the authority to attack problems head-on. It’s considered a huge success.

]]> By: Scott http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6441 Scott Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:27:15 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6441 Ben - I usually agree with your assessments, but I think you may be wrong on this one. According to the discussion taking place over at subchat, several operations people are saying that this move is actually designed to eliminate several layers of middle management and put operations in the hands of people who actually do the operating. According to the discussion Roberts and Sanders have been talking directly with operations rather than supervision about how to improve service etc., and this one more step in that direction. The thread is here : http://www.subchat.com/read.asp?Id=528608. Focus on the posts by Railman718 (a T/O from the B division, I believe). Ben – I usually agree with your assessments, but I think you may be wrong on this one. According to the discussion taking place over at subchat, several operations people are saying that this move is actually designed to eliminate several layers of middle management and put operations in the hands of people who actually do the operating. According to the discussion Roberts and Sanders have been talking directly with operations rather than supervision about how to improve service etc., and this one more step in that direction.

The thread is here : http://www.subchat.com/read.asp?Id=528608. Focus on the posts by Railman718 (a T/O from the B division, I believe).

]]> By: Todd http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6437 Todd Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:47:36 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6437 I was under the impression that all lines affect each other? I was under the impression that all lines affect each other?

]]> By: Marsha http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6435 Marsha Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:37:50 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6435 I disagree with Harlan. I think this is a bad idea. What's the point? What competition? It's not like I choose to take one line over the other. I live on the Upper West Side and take the 1, 2, or 3 train, depending where I am going, not which train is "better." There is a reason the IRT, IND, and BMT were merged into one system all those years ago. Why bring back decentralization at this time when we want less bureaucracy, not more? I disagree with Harlan. I think this is a bad idea. What’s the point? What competition? It’s not like I choose to take one line over the other. I live on the Upper West Side and take the 1, 2, or 3 train, depending where I am going, not which train is “better.” There is a reason the IRT, IND, and BMT were merged into one system all those years ago. Why bring back decentralization at this time when we want less bureaucracy, not more?

]]> By: Harlan http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6424 Harlan Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:56:48 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/12/06/adding-more-bureacracy-is-never-a-good-idea/#comment-6424 Actually, this seems like a good idea to me. Have good objective measures of the lines and the stations, put people in charge of a manageable chunk of the system, with enough power to make real changes, then pay them based on performance. Train doors always breaking down? Get those people off the train quickly so that traffic doesn't back up too much! Station is dark and dreary? Slam some new paint on it and install new lighting! If Richard Branson or Google were running the trains, stuff would get fixed *fast*. This seems like a step in that direction. Actually, this seems like a good idea to me. Have good objective measures of the lines and the stations, put people in charge of a manageable chunk of the system, with enough power to make real changes, then pay them based on performance. Train doors always breaking down? Get those people off the train quickly so that traffic doesn’t back up too much! Station is dark and dreary? Slam some new paint on it and install new lighting! If Richard Branson or Google were running the trains, stuff would get fixed *fast*. This seems like a step in that direction.

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