NYCT Introduces Prototype Help Point Intercom
A prototype of the “Help Point” Intercom that the MTA will install at 2 subway stations for testing. Photo courtesy of the MTA.
Anyone who rides the NYC Subway knows that the passenger intercoms in place leave a lot to be desired in terms of functionality & usefulness. If MTA NYC Transit has its way, that perception will do a complete 180 as earlier today they introduced a prototype “Help Point” Intercom. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release I received:
MTA New York City Transit’s newly-designed Help Point Intercom (HPI) prototype marks an important shift toward providing subway customers waiting in stations with a reliable, highly visible and easy-to-use communications device that will offer instant access to help and information with the touch of a button. New York City Transit officials demonstrated the new system to MTA Board members today.
Created specifically for the subway environment, the HPI is designed to be an easily recognizable communications tool for subway customers who need to report an emergency or simply want to ask, “What train goes to the Rockaways?” Customers can expect faster response times, improved capabilities and much clearer audio than they are accustomed to with the Customer Assistance Intercoms currently in use in subway stations.
Their unique appearance will make the HPIs easily identifiable whether located on station mezzanines or platforms. The sleek, modern design is metal with a blue light on top to enhance its visibility. The units are designed to be mounted vertically on either a station wall or platform column. The HPIs will be easy to use and have induction loop technology for the hearing impaired. The new technology devices will also be camera capable.
“These HPIs are another example of how the MTA is using technology to fundamentally change the way that our customers experience the transit system each day,” MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder said.
“We have designed the HPI to be a major step beyond the Customer Assistance Intercoms that passengers may see in stations now,” said NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast. “Make no mistake, this device represents impressive 21st century technology and it demonstrates our ability to incorporate it into a system that is more than 100 years old.”
In addition to the speaker and the microphone, the control panel contains a red emergency button and a green information button. Emergency calls are routed to the subway Rail Control Center while information calls are sent to Travel Information or the station booth.
Plans currently call for a pilot installation in two stations along the Lexington Avenue Line—Brooklyn Bridge and 23rd Street Stations. The pilot will also serve as an evaluation platform to compare wired and wireless units. The full roll out will be determined after the evaluation of the pilot.
Click here for a higher resolution view of the High Point Intercom.
Once again it is refreshing to see the MTA continue to look into better technology that will lead to a better run system for its workers & the millions of riders who use it. While they have some catching up to do compared to other systems, it is a good sign that they don’t rest on their laurels.
I am curious as to the effectiveness of these intercoms. They look visually impressive & I hope to try one out soon. My main concern is if they will maintain its sleek design & condition. It is known that some riders don’t have any respect for equipment as anything nice looking has to be destroyed for the sake of doing it. Hopefully this intercom will not meet the normal fate of equipment.
xoxo Transit Blogger
You might enjoy reading these related entries:- MTA Officially Starts Help Point Pilot
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MTA Set To Surpass Overtime Reduction Goals
If you ask many different people, what area the MTA could really do with reducing costs in, you are bound to get various answers. I can guarantee that one of the most popular ones will be overtime which has seen the abuse of it become a major issue in recent time.
When the much maligned transit agency set out to reduce costs, overtime was one of the areas they heavily targeted as they set financial reduction goals. Earlier today, they announced that they are set to surpass their 2010 reduction cost goals. First, here is a brief statement:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that it expects to reduce 2010 overtime expenses by $54 million compared with 2009 costs, an 11 percent reduction.
Reducing unnecessary overtime has been a priority of the MTA as it looks to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The agency’s 2010 budget addressed the issue with a $24 million reduction. That projection was revised in May to reflect a more aggressive approach, with an additional $22 million savings anticipated. Today officials announced that even that increased target will be exceeded, with a total of $54 million saved compared to 2009.
“Reducing overtime is a key part of our efforts to use every fare and taxpayer dollar wisely, and I am pleased that we have been able to achieve real results in just a few months,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder. “We have a lot of work still to do, but we’ve shown that by focusing in key areas we can earn critically needed savings across our agencies.”
The savings result from a host of changes to policies and operating procedures. New York City Transit is projected to save $24 million by identifying the workplaces with highest levels of sick leave, limiting overtime only to critical activities like safety inspections and air conditioning maintenance, and filling critical vacancies that were creating a high need for overtime.
The Long Island Rail Road is projected to save $13 million and Metro-North Railroad is projected to save $3 million from a lower base. The railroads are more closely monitoring overtime assigned to the top 20 overtime earners at each railroad, beginning daily tracking of “hot spot” departments accruing large amounts of overtime, and modifying businesses practices to rebalance workloads with a renewed focus on reducing overtime expenses.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels is projected to save $5 million. Bridges and Tunnels is expanding the use of seasonal employees at the Gil Hodges Memorial Marine Parkway Bridge and Cross Bay Bridge, requiring managerial pre-approval of all overtime, and prohibiting operations personnel from working during vacations, among other actions.
Now here are more details from the press release:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that it expects to reduce 2010 overtime expenses by $54 million compared with 2009 costs, an 11 percent reduction.
Reducing unnecessary overtime has been a priority of the MTA as it looks to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The agency’s 2010 budget addressed the issue with a $24 million reduction. That projection was revised in May to reflect a more aggressive approach, with an additional $22 million savings anticipated. Today officials announced that even that increased target will be exceeded, with a total of $54 million saved compared to 2009.
“Reducing overtime is a key part of our efforts to use every fare and taxpayer dollar wisely, and I am pleased that we have been able to achieve real results in just a few months,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder. “We have a lot of work still to do, but we’ve shown that by focusing in key areas we can earn critically needed savings across our agencies.”
The savings result from a host of changes to policies and operating procedures. New York City Transit is projected to save $24 million by identifying the workplaces with highest levels of sick leave, limiting overtime only to critical activities like safety inspections and air conditioning maintenance, and filling critical vacancies that were creating a high need for overtime.
The Long Island Rail Road is projected to save $13 million and Metro-North Railroad is projected to save $3 million from a lower base. The railroads are more closely monitoring overtime assigned to the top 20 overtime earners at each railroad, beginning daily tracking of “hot spot” departments accruing large amounts of overtime, and modifying businesses practices to rebalance workloads with a renewed focus on reducing overtime expenses.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels is projected to save $5 million. Bridges and Tunnels is expanding the use of seasonal employees at the Gil Hodges Memorial Marine Parkway Bridge and Cross Bay Bridge, requiring managerial pre-approval of all overtime, and prohibiting operations personnel from working during vacations, among other actions.
In a time where most news about the agency is not good, it is refreshing to see that cost cutting measures put into place are exceeding expectations. Hopefully they can continue to exceed expectations with overtime & it passes on down to other areas. While average riders won’t see the big deal about this news as it does not provide immediate visual benefit, it is definitely a step in the right direction for the agency.
xoxo Transit Blogger
You might enjoy reading these related entries:- New Capital Program Plan Includes $2B In Cuts
- MTA Statement On Targeting Overtime Costs
- MTA Releases November Financial Plan
- MTA Cutting Its Budget By $61M
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Service Diversions 09-27-10
I have just updated the “Service Diversions” page by removing all of the work that just wrapped up at 5 AM this morning. The latest information for the upcoming week & beyond in some cases is at the forefront.
Throughout the week, I will make minor updates on the page itself (no entries about it) by removing work already completed. The next complete update will be by late Thursday night or Friday morning (unless the diversions are not sent out until after).
As always, I suggest you print out a copy of the diversions to have with you while riding. You may also use any phone or electronic device to access the mobile friendly version of Transit Blogger. Have a safe week!
xoxo Transit Blogger
You might enjoy reading these related entries:- Service Diversions 11-15-10
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Service Diversions 09-25-10
I just updated the “Service Diversions” page with the latest diversions for this weekend, next week, & beyond in some cases. The next update will be sometime after 5:01 AM Monday when all of the weekend diversions are removed & the ones for the week move up the list.
Also for riders in Northern Manhattan & the Bronx who depend on the 
Train, please read this entry with information on the continuation of a $47M major renovation project that will last until 2012.
I suggest you print out a copy of the page to carry with you or use any mobile device to access the phone-friendly version of Transit Blogger. Everyone have a wonderful weekend & as always stay safe!
xoxo Transit Blogger
You might enjoy reading these related entries:- Service Diversions 09-18-10
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2 Metro-North Workers Accused Of Time Fraud
This past April (1, 2, 3) , a few bad apples in the MTA blue collar bunch spoiled it for the rest when they were found to have committed sick/work time fraud. Unfortunately the bad habits have found its way to the Metro-North as 2 workers have been accused of work time fraud.
One of the workers was arrested yesterday while the other was suspended. Richard Liebson of LoHud.com has more:
A Metro-North Railroad track foreman from Peekskill has been arrested and a railroad vehicle operator from Buchanan suspended after MTA and state police investigators said both were claiming pay for hours that they never worked.
Lawrence Ohlmann, 31, of 1622 Boulevard, Peekskill was arrested on felony grand larceny charges and suspended without pay Wednesday after an investigation by the MTA Inspector General’s office and New York state police found that he’d punched in for as many as 250 hours that he did not work.
Authorities said Ohlmann would punch in at 8 a.m. and leave at 10 a.m., return at 2:30 p.m. and punch out at 4 p.m.
Kyle Cook, 28, of 219 Craft Lane, Buchanan, was also suspended after investigators said he claimed at least two days of pay for hours he did not work as a railroad vehicle operator. Baxter was not arrested, but faces disciplinary action.
Click here for the complete report.
I find the alleged actions of these 2 workers to be completely unacceptable. Any worker participating in this kind of fraud should either be terminated or have to return the money they were fraudulently paid if not both. Workers like these are the ones who make the honest hard working ones be categorized as lazy, uneducated, & overpaid which is completely untrue.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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