New York City's famous subway system is currently facing scrutiny after several recent attacks on platforms. Now, local leaders in the Big Apple are calling on the MTA. To step in and take action. 

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Deadly Subway Incidents Spark Calls For Subway Platform Changes

next up New york city's famous subway system is currently facing scrutiny after several recent attacks on platforms. Now, local leaders in the Big Apple are calling on the M. T. A. To step in and take action. Here's a look at a piece I did exploring the steps city lawmakers are taking to enforce subway track safety, stand clear of the closing doors please. If you live in new york city, you've probably taken the subway at least once, if not every single day. And the more you ride the more likely you are to see some bizarre wacky and abnormal things. Mhm. Right, mm hmm, mm hmm. But lately things have taken a much more serious turn. According to reports from the M. T. A. 50 people were struck and killed by trains or found dead on the tracks Within the first eight months of 2021 2022 isn't off to a great start either. In recent weeks, two people have been pushed onto the tracks in unprovoked attacks. One of the victims was pushed into the path of an oncoming train at Times Square and killed. A man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with her death. The attacks shocked city residents who have seen an increase in violent crime throughout the pandemic. Our system must be safe uh must be safe from actual crime, which we are going to do. Uh and it must be safe from those who feel as though there is a total level of disorder in our subway system. Now, lawmakers and residents are calling on the M. T. A. To install subway platform screen doors to prevent people from falling or being pushed onto the tracks. We need action and here's another reason it's not just safety and the concern about these incidents of crime, but it's also the confidence that writers need in our M. T. A. To get back on the rails. Now, similar systems already exist in various parts of the world. Places like japan, brazil France, Hong kong Delhi Rome and paris all have installed barriers ranging from the low tech to the high in order to prevent accidents, suicides and crimes. But despite its proud reputation as the biggest and best city in the world, new york lags far behind in this area. Leading the call for safer subways is new york city councilman keith powers who is proposing action be taken wherever possible. We're looking at some common sense safety measures that would be put in place just like barriers in addition to all the other stuff so far, the M. To has told us that it's extremely expensive to do it. But the M. To says money is not the only issue. According to a 3000 page report from 2019, only 128 out of 472 stations could even accommodate these protective barriers. Oh yeah. An estimated cost would be $7 billion New Yorkers is worth it. We cannot stand still right now. We are in a very scary moment when it comes to public safety and new Yorkers are feeling a bit scared. I think on the edge about things that are happening in this city, we have no option. We have to keep our feet moving. We have to do multiple things. At the same time, we have to look at public safety as doing a number of different things to keep people safe, while the possibility of platform screen doors may face significant obstacles. Over the past month, transit leaders have committed to exploring ways to make the subway safer. So one day these tragedies may be a thing of the past.