With the station agent cutbacks now in effect for three weeks, Michael Grynbaum of The Times hit the subways to pick up some anecdotal feedback about the impact of the cuts. The results are as we would imagine: Some people are concerned about safety; some people with big items can’t navigate the turnstiles and locked emergency exit gates; others — mostly non-English speaking tourists — are getting lost and cannot find anyone to give directions while snack vendors and newsstand workers are reluctantly turning into de facto station assistants. Still others are not bothered by the lack of station agents and note that life underground will continue as usual.
It is, of course, an interesting debate and one we’ve had on numerous occasions here. Yet, still the same questionable claims are being made. Norman Seabrook, an MTA Board member, heaves the terrorist argument. “We just witnessed a sleeper cell that was taken down for possibly contaminating the subway system,” he said to Grynbaum. “It’s imperative that we have as many eyes and ears as possible.” The NYPD and federal agents, though, intercepted this threat long before anyone working at a station booth could see something.
Earlier this week, Straphangers guru Gene Russianoff called upon Jay Walder to restore the agents. Walder though noted that with tough economic times and fare technology that no longer relies on someone selling tokens, the agents became expendable. Until the cash is there, the agents will not be. In the end, I am left where I always am. In cases of crime, the station agents have a duty to call for help but no legal duty to interfere. Their mere presence can do serve a deterrent purpose, and they do serve a customer assistance and relations purpose. Although many station agents knew little to nothing about the neighborhood above them, people often need the help to navigate around or into and out of the system. To miss them or not, the debate continues.
7 comments
I find that the empty booths are just as welcoming and informative as they were back when staff sat in them. The only people I see this hurting our tourists. Perhaps the Chamber of Commerce or whatever body handles tourism promotion could hire a few dozen subway helpers to assist travelers. They could work limited hours and only be stationed in the two dozen or so subway stations that are most frequented by tourists. Maybe they could even be friendly!
Agreed. The agents were useless to non-English speaking tourists, and often impatient and rude with their fellow Americans.
They could be usefully replaced in part with foreign language maps in vending machines: Insert $1, get your map in French/Spanish/Italian/German/Brazilian-Portuguese/Russian/Polish/ Arabian/Japanese/Korean/Mandarin/etc.
And next to the vending machines, a phone number to connect you to a foreign-language-speaking subway guide to answer questions. (We’d need cell phones to work in those stations, but that’s another issue.)
It would help greatly, too, if the English-language signs made better sense. Sometimes I’m as confounded as any hapless foreigner.
Last night I was confronted by one that told me if that entrance was closed, the one at another street would be open 24 hours. Yes, but I have lived in NYC since 1966 and I had never heard of that other street. (It turns out to be two blocks long.) I did not know if it was ahead, behind, or a block to one side or the other from where I stood. That English-language sign might as well have been in Bantu for all the info it imparted to me. A simple directional arrow would have removed any need for translation, or even a map.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. The MTA has no choice but cut costs where it can. The powers that be don’t take the hint…at least not on the first few.
I agree to cutting costs but I’ve seen the figures and the station agents are like a drop in the ocean of red ink that the MTA is drowning under. But as one of the most visible aspects of the system, they sure draw a lot of attention, don’t they? This is just the same ploy that these agencies always pull in times of need: cut the most visible part of the system, and wait for more dollars to roll in. The agents are being used as pawns in an attempt to avoid making hard decisions that could result in real cuts.
Nowooski, what am I supposed to do if I’m trying to take my stroller + child into one of these agent-less stations? There’s no agent there, so I can’t get in the “emergency” gate. (Getting out is a problem too, if I don’t want to set off the alarm or break the rules).
Or what do I do if I swipe my unlimited metro card at that station, and get the dreaded “swipe again at this turnstile”, until it tells me that my card was already used? Wait 15 minutes (or whatever)? Jump the turnstiles?
The case against station agents is just plain silly.
Woody admits he’s been in NY for 40 years and does not know the streets near where he lives. Yet people expect the station agents to be experts on areas they may work in once a year. Makes lots of sense. Tip to Woody: every station has an area map in it. Check it out and find out about where you live.
As for being useless to non-english speaking tourists I suggest you go to Chinatown and see how agents communicate with those who do not speak the language. Or at Main street in Flushing or Brighton Beach in Brooklyn or Washington Heights. You’d be surprised how well they do.
Or how they verbally assist the blind without guide dogs or communitcate with those who have hearing impairments.
You’d be shocked.
Or how they look out for school kids everyday and let most of them in when they don’t have passes. You’d be amazed.
Nowooski wants friendly agents: you want friendly get a puppy, you want the train get an station agent.
As far as a subway helpers from the chamber of commerce: good luck. One look at the rats running around the platforms (2 & 4 legged) would cure those good folks of that notion and fast.
Ask the agents who worked the area during 9/11 what they did that day and you’d be really amazed.
The cost cutting savings is a drop in the bucket as one of the more assute posters said. What you’d gain in revenue you’d lose in illegal entry and potential lawsuits.
What has happend to our fair city, NYers need friendly, welcoming transit workers? Not real NYers.
Is this a parody?