How Did New York's Trains Get so Bad? | NYT

New York City subways have the worst on-time performance of any major rapid transit system in the world. This is the story of how the city ended up in a state of emergency.
Read the story here: www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/ny...
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[@ohellothere9594]

Use this like button as a 'the editor deserves a raise' button.

[@BON3SMcCOY]

make the checks out to Liz Deegan, Ora DeKornfeld, Ben Laffin

[@skinach]

o hello there You just want likes, don't you?

[@katy3901]

^^^. It's a wonderful video!

[@r.j.1055]

Plot twist, o hello there IS the editor

[@yaphace]

That isn't going to do anything. If you're begging for like and are using a serious issue to get, them, you need to examine why you aren't liked in the first place then stop using real issues for a little tiny rush of of nothing while people are struggling. Quit begging

[@alliancer87]

“We never really know where the train is” 😯

[@workhot]

i really like this video: informative, interesting, and innovative

[@uzaiyaro]

That's actually how it works almost everywhere. Tracks are electrically divided up into blocks, which a train occupies. When it moves to the next block, the signalling behind the train changes. The blocks can be made larger or smaller depending on the area, for example from a kilometre or more, down to not much more than the length of the train itself. The speed limit has to change to suit this, of course, and there's *sometimes* a buffer behind. In the cities they tend to run a single block behind, at very slow speeds, and often the driver of the train behind has sight of the train in front. Hope this explains things a little better.

[@WitchidWitchid]

@@uzaiyaro When CBTC is implemented they will be able to resize blocks as needed. But implementing and testing is not going to happen overnight. Also the present wayside block signals will remain in place.

[@uzaiyaro]

WitchidWitchid where I live, they’re considering eradicating wayside signals altogether. They’re building a new tunnel under the river, providing a much needed third river crossing as the the other two are more or less at capacity. The point here, is that this new tunnel will be built to the ETCS standard, so no wayside signalling at all. We’ve had ATC since 1988 and ATP for a fair while as well, but these are supplemental systems, there are still wayside signals. I hope ETCS doesn’t cause many headaches, but the new fleet of trains we have, that have been plagued by problems, are ETCS ready. They’re also driverless ready, apparently, but that’s never gonna happen, I don’t think. It’s almost impossible to completely grade separate the network, and considering there is a freight and intercity network intermixed with the suburban network... yeah, we’re gonna have drivers for a while, thankfully. The other thing with ETCS is that apparently older trains are not going to be retrofitted with it, which I think is a mistake, they’re putting all their eggs into one basket. What’s to say they won’t find some issue with the new fleet later on down the line and you’ve completely kneecapped a whole arseload of the inner city network until that issue is fixed? But hey, I’m not in charge of decisions, and that’s probably a good thing. Driverless is a gimmick anyway. There’s been proven to be zero upside to it. They tried it in Japan and found that driverless systems actually made things worse, not better.

[@cityuser]

@@uzaiyaro Driverless is going to keep costs down for long range journeys, although that is some way into the future.

[@jillianelise5]

It's inexcusable. NYC is the most popular city in the US and has old, run down trains.

[@---nobody---]

Jillian Elise inexcusable Edit: Lol, now the op comment is changed mine just looks so pointless 😂

[@robertbeck8670]

Jillian Elise yeah raise taxes on the riders

[@MaddieMaddocks]

And a signal system from the 1930s!

[@gabri_maybe]

*laughs in italian*

[@user-ho1ih1uj6w]

Thats what you get for being the most popular city in US

[@thebasketballhistorian3291]

TOKYO: Trains are rarely late. The government apologizes if there is even a 2-minute delay. NYC: We never really know where the train is.

[@cfnretro6448]

New York is like the Popeye’s of public transit and Tokyo is the Chic-Fil-A of public transit(I hope someone gets this)

[@lilquincy6292]

@@cfnretro6448 huh? Popeyes are great

[@cfnretro6448]

DARTH MAUL The food is but the service ain’t

[@cfnretro6448]

DARTH MAUL God forbid you ask for an extra sauce. I don’t know. I guess I just live in the hood

[@lilquincy6292]

@@cfnretro6448 I think McDonald's has worse service

[@savolrat]

from a european perspective, when I visit the states, I always feel like its time capsual from the past, like literally nothing has been invested in upgrading the outdated buildings and infrastructure.

[@wulliest]

In my case it's only for business, I certainly wouldn't subjugate myself to that voluntarily.

[@richyp64]

Yep, this is what happens when the US spends a good portion of our tax dollars policing and rebuilding the rest of the world. At least our illegals are healthy and well fed.

[@williamjameslehy1341]

@@billolsen4360 don't ask why Europeans travel abroad, ask why so many Americans don't even own passports and seem downright proud to know nothing about the rest of the world.

[@williamjameslehy1341]

According to 'Murica logic: Spending trillions on pointless wars = glorious freedumz Spending billions on infrastructure, healthcare, and education = communism.

[@ajm2360]

I want to Italy to visit my extended family I think the exact same thing and thus I want to move to Europe

[@xBris]

So the answer is corrupt politicians? Huh, who would have thought ;)

[@oscarkronborg7176]

I like your dutch-british profile picture

[@troll-ck1wo]

@Tom Smith just stop

[@theodoremattfeld9034]

To be honest the people who ride and live in NYC are as much to blame as the gov’t and MTA. Did anyone ever notice how people in Taiwan and Japan do not throw their trash everywhere and actually follow the public transport rules far more than in other countries? That probably makes things more efficient and cheaper to maintain doesn’t it? The problem is the people using the services just as much as the gov’t itself. After all the gov’t is composed of the people.

[@gunzac21]

@Tom Smith actually the cause is the politicians. stop pretending otherwise. it is always those same thieves. the same ones who couldn't keep a peace treaty with the indigenous people. you know who i mean.

[@JW-vd4il]

@Tom Smith "Better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and prove it." Try it!

[@knguyennguyen5559]

Try Asian subways (Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, etc), all very new, also there’s a automatic glass door between the station and the train to stop trash and ppl from falling over

[@noby_huangkonghsiong]

And the Japanese are very strict to time and almost every train arrived at the minute. New York, is the worst. I could wait another three minutes for that one train and it's just frustrating.

[@hoixthegreat8359]

They're doing this in the UK, but the issue is it takes a few days to install them. And you can't close a subway station to install some doors - everyone will hate you. So whenever there's a long-term refurbishment of a platform or a new station they install them but they get left out on all the older lines.

[@JM-yy2zl]

In Asia, it is government's responsibility to protecting citizens from falling tot rail, in Western, it is your own responsibility! So there is no need protecting doors.

[@OnesFan1]

Love tw

[@cheef825]

台北捷運 is clean fast and gets just about everywhere (especially with the yellow line). I moved to Seattle and the one line doesn't even go to my school lol

[@bl6973]

Pataki: *cuts the budget of the mta* Subway: *gets worse* Pataki: *“h u h”*

[@WitchidWitchid]

Pataki has been out.for.a.lomg time. The subways in NYC.have undergone major modernization and renovations since then. New cars, modern signalling, etc.

[@lindafukuyu5767]

I think those politicians need to go to Japan, Singapore, China, South Korea, HK, Canada, Germany, etc to see how the train and high speed train work.

[@zochbuppet448]

Stop dragging Canada into systems efficiency. There are no really good train systems much less high speed trains here. The most used subway system.... in Toronto is 25 years behind in terms of infrastructure and planning. 2 years ago it implemented a card paying system, it was still used tokens, tickets and cash/change. New York subway has the metro card since the mid 1990's. London had electronic tickets/ paper cards in 1987. Also lots of weird behavior, constantly overcrowd trains and slow downs, and constant emergencies and people throwing them selves on the tracks. Most major infrastructure projects are usually over time and over budget.

[@arousedyoda]

Oh yeah, Canada. The country where passenger and freight trains share the same tracks, and the former must yield to the latter and wait on a siding, meaning a city 2 hours away by car is 4 hours away by train.

[@Amidat]

True... But that also shows how naive the NY Times is. Fulton St. isn't the problem. In those countries you named - the private subway systems have the equivalent of Fulton St. and that's how they make extra money to run the system. The problem with Fulton St. and the ENTIRE system is that construction costs are WAY TOO HIGH

[@TheGreatMoonFrog]

Canada? I ride the Toronto subway everyday and it's a big pile of garbage. Delays are commonplace, single problems are a daily occurrence. They also operate ancient technology and I should know, I give them IT people. They often ask for skills that haven't been used for 20+ years. The provincial government is trying to take over the system as many feel the city can no longer do it properly.

[@j134679]

Always thought people meant Vancouver when lauding Canada's transit

[@owenconway3556]

Every time I see a video like this I’m like “ I should be a politician, if these idiots can get elected why not me “

[@lukefrancois6173]

Anything is possible with hindsight, they're still stupid though

[@DCFunBud]

Is your determination to rule others as large as your egomania and sense of entitlement? Are you willing to do anything to get elected, e.g., lie, defraud, betray, conspire with criminals? Do you have no sense of shame or hypocrisy? Can you get the multi-millions to run a campaign? Are you willing to sell yourself and defame your enemies at every opportunity? Are you willing to persecute minorities to win majority votes? Then, go for it.

[@RaveYoda]

@DCFunBud See...this comment suggest one do nothing or at least not try. This is very un-American since when the going gets tough we get going. Good people can win but it requires them trying. And it requires them trying in greater numbers than the bad apples that pervert the system as a whole.Hope, the will for change, and some elbow grease gets things going in the right direction.

[@wellesradio]

Rave Yoda That's not an American ideal. It's a humanist ideal. It's also sadly unrealistic.

[@RaveYoda]

@Mr. W Shoot for the stars; for if you miss, you'll at least be among them.

[@shinkizawa3613]

They should never cut budgets on public transit

[@Jackson-mi3dr]

Especially to put it back in the pockets of their homies 👎

[@metrofilmer8894]

Agree. New York just has been unfortunately plagued by politicians on both sides in the last 30 years who just don’t care about the mta

[@salt_liqueur]

So i can check google maps and see exactly where my bus is almost down to the second... but the largest subway system in the US has no clue where their trains are 🤦‍♂️ okay

[@griffinrails]

Yes, they do know. NYT has blown this small fact WAY out of proportion.

[@muhilan8540]

not no clue they know the approximate location

[@LetsGoGetThem]

They used to be WAYYYYYYYY worse. Anyone seen footage or even lived during the 70s of them back then. Hoo boy.

[@HugoHakvoort]

That’s what I thought

[@NICKYGUNNO]

That was only wild art

[@koolk2269]

Devix My mom used to tell me stories of how she could only take the bus by herself and not the train (in the late 70’s and early 80’s) because my grandparents thought that it was too dangerous.

[@WitchidWitchid]

Yep, in the 70s trains were older, hotter, noisier, filled with graffiti vandalism, crime-ridden, etc. The subway system is a virtual paradise today compared to what it was like back in the late 1960's and 1970s.

@@NICKYGUNNO Beautiful times

[@RanFire]

The London Underground is older than New York's Subway and is a great example of a system that has been invested in.

[@ran160]

Neil Henderson the mta just needs funding and needs to upgrade their old signal system that isn’t reliable

[@RanFire]

They need to do a lot more than that. The stations are in a terrible state, the trains too.

[@shteve119]

Neil Henderson dont forget the card readers.... 🙄 like... we're seriously still swiping cards?....

[@gilsonanderson5807]

Neil Henderson no way, man. It's dirty and stinks.

[@jasonross6727]

It wasn't that long ago they were using tokens!

[@melsyoutube]

God I'm so grateful to be a Londoner 😭 My sister is obsessed with moving to New York but the more research I do, the more it just seems like a downgrade! From the water to the healthcare to the transit to the cost of living 😖😷

[@Stephaynator]

Im from nyc and visited london for the first time in November and my god yalls transit system made me realize how much of a disaster mta is.

[@roscoebaram681]

NYC water is some of the nicest in the world

[@hannahmonize1436]

The water is actually some of the best in the world. The mta........not so much.

[@AdrianoCROST]

@@roscoebaram681 I doubt that because just yesterday i watched videos about NYC water tanks on top of the buildings. Some people from NYC say that even rats are found inside.

[@simonkraemer3725]

And even the London subway system has it's flaws

[@SoundFieldPBS]

How long did this video take to make? It's soo good

[@danieldingle69]

We don’t know that tho

[@wannabehistorian371]

It’s a corporate channel, they have money to pay professional teams of people to make this.

[@jdiddy27]

Depends how the Subways Behaved During the making...

[@shaneculkin7124]

WoW, really? I just left a negative comment saying that this appears to have been made for children. This video is very annoying to watch. With all the information this could have been a good video. But it is simply annoying!

[@Jaxymann]

I’ve ridden the subway systems of London, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei and Berlin. All of them are clean, efficient, punctual and affordable modes of transport. But New York? It’s meant to be a global city, but the Subway is an absolute JOKE. They need to SERIOUSLY get it together.

[@choo1030]

What do you expect from a country too proud to switch to SI unit system?

[@quellenathanar]

Comparing different cities mass transit systems seems logical on the surface level, but once you look into it deeper you find unique variables...especially in NYC.

[@ultimatechickenhorsesweat2614]

Steven Choo they aren’t “too proud.” They tried to change to SI in the 70’s or 80’s, I forget. It didn’t work, and judging a country based on units of measurement doesn’t really make that much sense.

[@freewal]

@@ultimatechickenhorsesweat2614 Steven Choo is totally right... How dare a country keep a middle age measurement system ... It says a lot about the country....

[@rileypadillo906]

I’ve been on Seoul subway before. I completely agree with you, in all areas that you’ve pointed at.

[@oscar.gonzalez]

On winter days, bring politicians to the subway. They make lots of hot air.

[@jaxw2628]

Oscar Gonzalez ayyyy

[@shad0w353]

Lool

[@andrewkful]

No. Just bring them onto the subways during A RAINSTORM.

[@stanpeterson3944]

XD

[@youcanpunchmeintheface]

bring them in case of drowning. Most of them are AIRHEADS

[@dragonsparrow4109]

The editing is so cute and filled with personality! good job editor! :)

[@KESTRAL23]

thanks

[@kollusion1]

Facts, not pretty pictures please. This is supposed to be a serious situation, not a jelly & ice cream show.

[@alexjones2677]

@@kollusion1 why not both you party pooper?

[@RodrigoVazquez91]

The video editing, the motion art, the voice over, the interviews, the sound design and mixing, this is an amazing work.

[@darkwaters1010]

New York City subway controls still use 1930s electronics???

[@itsmetheherpes1750]

well it's works, and believe it or not, it's way more reliable than computers using windows, that crashes and starts "updating" things with you having no control of it.

[@andrewkful]

We're on an island. An island crammed with tons and tons of old industrial works that all can break if even ONE SMALL MISTAKE is made while fixing it.

[@CGonzales033]

it doesn't work and it's inefficient because it can not handle modern traffic needs. also, they would not be using a home version of windows to run sensitive systems.

[@yesorasong339]

It doesn’t work at all honestly. It’s not accurate. And also it’s not just a problem of signal system, but also scheduling. It’s freaking random and lack of trains which makes ppl to grab the doors bc they don’t want to wait for another 15-20 mins, and holding doors opened make more delays. Im Korean living in NY for almost 6years, and compare to Korean subway system, it is a pure mess here. The trains in Korea arrive on the exact time as scheduled. NOBODY grabs the door bc ppl know that there’s another one coming in like 4mins. It’s srly so stressful to take subway here

[@Dutch3DMaster]

Oh lol, about the Windows-thing: the Amsterdam subway service uses A LOT of ticketing machines still running what seems to be an embedded version of XP, which is not exactly a good feeling knowing you are putting your debit card into a card-reader that in one way or another is connected to a computer that is running an OS the government pressed us to stop using years a go. Even though Embedded Windows can differ on some points from home-versions of Windows (not only software-wise but also hardware-wise), they have been proven to be prone to the exact same vulnerabilities the "regular" windows versions have been targeted with.

[@Sentryalmighty]

people in NY like "our subway is so good yep" meanwhile in Japan and HK: few to no delays, basically no accidents, efficient, clean, safe

[@WitchidWitchid]

Consider that the NYC system is around 100 years old and operates 24/7 it's pretty amazing that it all works as well as it does. Also the system has improved a great deal over the past couple of decades with new trains, the opening of the 2nd avenue line. At present the system is undergoing signal modernization and even newer cars are being procured. And a lot of the modernization and improvements take quite some time to be implemented as new technology must be installed while the system is in full operation, thus legacy systems and technology must me maintained and kept in full operation while the new tech is installed.

[@atlas42185]

Unsurprisingly the MTA is a pet project for unions while the MTR that services Hong Kong has been privatized for almost 20 years. The MTA is a piggy bank for special interest groups, which the NYS government refuses to hold accountable. The MTR on the other hand is expected to make it's own living by developing commercial real estate along the transit lines.

[@frauleinfunf]

As a lifelong New Yorker, I can assure you that no one in the entire history of our subway system has ever thought it was good.

[@dimiathan]

Paris and London also are more than 100 years (I think about 120 years old). This mess doesn't exist there.

[@sydneyepb6958]

None of us say the subway is good, dude what are you smoking?? We all hate the subway and the MTA with a burning passion

[@rohithparashivamurthy3268]

The editor for this must deserve an award and a HUGE raise because the content is too good and a top tier execution

[@robertnussberger2028]

My dad used to tell me when he was 12 years old, the city had a very hard time paying for the public transportation; bus, subway, taxi~ Soo in the late 70's, they were all runned down to the ground, used up, and abused, especially the subway cars, as not a lot of money went into maintaining the buses and the trains. The result of that, well... I read some history of the transportation and a brief of my dad's childhood history, and the subway trains and the buses are said to be nothing more than beaten old crumbling steel boxes on rails and tires. They smelled soo bad, and some were missing seats, and it was dangerous, not because of the condition, but creepy people and gangs would hang out in the trains to cause trouble. It was sweltering hot in the summer and it was bone chilling cold in the winter. Some of the buses and the trains had probably been in service for soo long to see the 64 world's fair. People were soo fed up with the conditions of New York City public transportation, they demanded that their taxes should be put in somewhere useful, like the repairing of the public transit and bus. In the mid 80's, they struck good big with the repairing of the public transportation, perhaps, upgrading it. The city paid millions after millions on brand new subway cars, imported from Japan in 1983. I think in 1985 was when they made their true debute. They featured carpetting, comfortable seats, maintenance on keeping the trains clean, and brought the luxury of heating in the winter and cooling in the summer to the public. Plus, they retrofitted a handful of the 60's trains as well while some were scrapped or dumped in the oceans. They bought the new buses for the city to use and new taxis as well. My dad used to tell me stories of how he used to ride on the new ones durring highschool nights with friends before he got his car. He said how the people thought the renovation was "space age". I've been in the new york city bus stations before, rode on lots of trains. It is not really that bad. Their punctual timing is ok. But if it gets this way again in the 70's, I hope history repeats itself again, and we will have the "space age" feel once again.

[@artcurious807]

It is an absolute disgrace for any American city to have subpar subways. Travel anywhere in Europe or Asia and the subway systems are probably cleaner, efficient, and 25 - 30 years more advanced. China is building brand new subway lines every year practically. And Japan has one of the most efficient system in the world with even more users. It’s time to invest in infrastructure and vote out of office any politician caught misspending MTA funds.

[@largol33t1]

That's the fault of people who KEEP voting the same politicians back into office decade after decade...

[@colorfulcodes]

Not cheaper. London costs 50% more, japan costs more money at each sto, same in thailand. In nyc you pay one fee to travel any distance. Not to mention nyc is the only one with 24/7 service. If they ended at midnight like all other countries they'd be able to fix the trains and have less delays. It's at midnight where other countries do repairs.

[@WariorKitty]

Colorful Codes Yeah London is hella expensive. My young person oyster just ran out and oof😂Those prices.

[@phillip_iv_planetking6354]

Well NYC subway is 100 years old.......

[@oscoooot4567]

Colorful Codes I don’t think it’s the only one that works 24/7

[@user-sd5dz2dc6u]

That old subway tech should be in a Museum, not being used.

[@matthewhernandez8342]

1234567890q most of them are in good shape. The new tech trains are the ones causing problems

[@qjtvaddict]

Craig F. Thompson that's the problem it does not work!!!!

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

DAVID MELLA What's funny is that the old R32s are actually more reliable than many of the newer rolling stock.

[@ingster431]

It's so sad that they need a transit museum for the MTA

[@ven0IVI]

1234567890q “being used.” Passive voice, consider revising: “not *in use.”

[@reubenpx1809]

After looking at their condition. I laugh and cry at the same time while sitting in a Mumbai central train...

[@poonamshinde9597]

Lol 😂 so true

[@teenagertvproductions7287]

Yes but ever tried Mumbai Monorail or Mumbai Metro ?? Much better than nuw yurk

[@metel999k3]

The sheer size of that rat!!! 🐀🤯

[@forza223bowe5]

When you look at other metros around the world, the New York subway is so outdated and dirty.

[@WitchidWitchid]

Well what do you expect. It is over 100 years old.And it runs 24/7/365 without even a coffee break.And it is being modernized. But you don;t take a century old system that has to be online constantly and make it like it was brand spanking new overnight.

[@WitchidWitchid]

NYC subway system best in world.

[@metromodernism]

WitchidWitchid The London Underground is infinitely times better than the New York Subway. Much nicer trains, especially on the Central line, better service, nicer place to be in altogether and on top of that, it’s the oldest subway system in the world yet it feels like everything came out of the 21st century. Contactless payments with debit and credit cards, the Oyster card, so much more. The New York Subway, quite frankly, sucks 110%.

[@WitchidWitchid]

@@metromodernism And the London Underground doesn't run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year without a break. The NYC transit system does, all lines run all day all night above ground and underground. Work on the system is ongoing and has to be done while tracks are live and trains are running. Rail replacement for example has to be done within the breif interval between trains.. Signalling system being modernized and switched to CBTC Pretty much ALL older trains have been replaced with new rolling stock and brand new state of the art rolling stock is on order and being delivered as we speak. During and after Hurrican Sandy which struck NYC with extreme winds and the bloody Atlantic Ocean filled the underground portions of the subway recovery was remarkably fast considering the amount of damage that was repaired in record time. These and more are reasons why New York Transit system is best urban train system in world. None better.

[@Catani99]

WitchidWitchid Considering you only good point was 24/7 service and the rest was opinionated waffle, the tube also runs majority 24/7 and as a plus, doesn’t use 1930s signalling systems. It’s not perfect, but it’s a dam lot cleaner and faster. Do some research before you spew your verbal diarrhoea everywhere.

[@MrTomtomtest]

Good public transportation = rise in revenue Those politicians are dumb. Sure they might get more power on the short term but this is how History will remember them...

[@TheMrJourneyer]

If people don’t forget about their shortcomings anyway - which they usually do.

[@tK-be6ns]

the difference between a Politician and a Statesman

[@lightdark00]

Public transport should be funded by those that use it. Public roads and sidewalks, are for the common good.

[@qjtvaddict]

lightdark00 the city needs to take back the subway from the state

[@nelsonomicsruns9246]

THE Problem is riders dont pay more than a small fraction of the cost meaning they don't care sp much about its waste and inefficiencies. ~$160,000/year in compensation

[@GoodPictures98]

This should win every award for a mini-doc in the universe!

[@kailindeman4531]

And the D train is still under construction every 5 seconds

[@kodo1232]

good

[@staredwards268]

So they cut funding to the MTA and use the money the MTA actually brings in for other projects. Hmmm, sounds like a solid plan for funding the MTA.

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

The same thing for Amtrack where their profits were used to bail out car companies in 2008

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Amtrak has never had profit.

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

Your wrong! the reason on why you never see Amtrack's profit is because its taken by the US Government to fund anything but public transport. don't forget that Amtrack is a private company with state subsidies for rail lines but that doesnt mean that they cant turn a profit with these subsidies.....

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Amtrak is not a private company. But it keeps all of its revenue. It has never made nearly enough money to pay for capital costs. You don't get to claim that it is profitable by ignoring subsidies either. Profit is money left over after expenses, and for Amtrak this has always been negative.

[@shammydammy2610]

Amtrak has operated at a loss for over 40 years.

[@robox91]

That signals system is prehistoric.....

[@cool2180]

robox91 i dont think thats the problem. Just because its Old doesnt mean that it doesnt work. There is more to the story. Its either not being fix properly or straight up neglect. In fact the old signal that relied on air was more reliable then the one there using now

[@VinceIsDatBitch]

cool2180, the old system wasn't precise enough to allow operation of trains at a closer distance. The slow response time of the signals may also cause problems.

[@cool2180]

Marvincent Acuña yea to a degree. But it was reliable and workers have mention that when they started puting this system in at the time . I dont think it was that much space gained with the current system in place. I would like to technical explanation of the current system. Before they had control towers at different stops that control different signals in a certain area now. Currently the signals are control in a central location i think its either in downtown manhattan or brooklyn this location thats controls alll the signals in the system. This video doesnt have all the facts together. What ever signal problem thats occuring is either coming from the central command center or the track itself. Its that simple

[@Catscratch241]

cool2180 trust me the system is the MAIN problem Everytime I check and there's a delay it's always a signal problem such as the lights are stuck on red or there's no electricity on the track

[@isaiahbruckhaus]

They should take some money and upgrade it to an autonomous system right away... From the signaling part of the operation and then you can slowly replace line by line as cars and conductors start retiring.

[@dardanm3544]

Honestly my biggest problem with the trains is how unsafe they feel

[@ruzzelladrian907]

Government, politicians, and unions. 0:22 "Stand clear of the closing doors, please." I'm laughing so hard! The chaos is so poetic!

[@AlexanderJohnLee]

I live in Moscow and this just makes me laugh. The metro is so good here. It's clean, fast, and beautiful. Granted, the entire metro here was built with an unlimited budget. During rush hour trains arrive every 30 seconds. There are new lines being added every year. 14+ million daily riders.

[@sanansa4567]

thats the way it should be in major cities in America, but people don't want taxes going to public transit, that's why roads are clogged during rush hour since the public transit systems SUCKS!. I lived in Germany and the bus and train system puts the American system to shame. You also have a lot of graft and corruption in governments, they will siphon off funds from one area and spent it on other programs that people aren't aware of because it gets buried. If it does get uncovered, there is no accountability since politicians don't stay in office very long. Its the good and bad of the US political system.

[@boahkeinbockmehr]

Is it true that there are/ were packs of stray dogs taking the metro on their own from the suburbs into the city in the morning and back in the evening? Or is that just a myth?

[@theashpilez]

I COME FROM SUN Thank God I will be dead by then...It's going to look like RUNNING MAN. Or the cab scene in HEAVY METAL

[@OriginalGrasshopper]

Alexander Lee Moscow’s metro stations are absolutely gorgeous with each having a unique motif to them. It’s the same here in Stockholm. Certain European cities really know how to put class and culture into their public transit systems.

[@mlc4495]

Yeah, I think the Moscow Metro is the one thing the Soviets/Russians got right for once.

[@PMMM9]

Pathetic example of cronyism, corruption and waste of public funds.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

J Altenburg Ok. Let's do something about it.

[@PMMM9]

Ike Okereke: everyone is open to suggestions.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

J Altenburg Vote. Run for office.

[@qjtvaddict]

Craig F. Thompson cause most NYers are stupid

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

Craig F. Thompson Because I am not 18 years old. I will though. I hope to become POTUS.

[@darthzayexeet3653]

"New York City has the worst train/transit system" Deutsche Bahn AG: "Allow me to introduce myself"

[@anotherartfulwhippersnapper]

Totally, was about to say... Aber die Öffis innerhalb vieler Städte sind meist relativ verlässlich.

[@Sonturist]

The bond singing guy was great

[@sajidah5278]

Lived in Seoul my whole life. Seoul's subway system is only 5 lines less than NY's and has real-time updates about the exact positions of trains on every station. There's also phone apps that tell you exactly when the next train will arrive and it's integrated with 3rd party map apps so you can time your days perfectly. I don't think I've ever experienced a train being late. It would literally be on the news if it was. I'd scream and jump on the tracks if I had to move to NY.

[@John-yg2rt]

Oh so you mean to tell me that the infrastructure in a city that didn't start seriously industrializing until the 1950s has more modern technology than one of the oldest cities in the US? Interesting

[@Lamosica]

@@RandomKZbin123 lol

[@orangeradishneo]

@@John-yg2rt then how come London, Paris, and other old cities don't experience these issues?

[@John-yg2rt]

Jess, because Americans thought cars and highways were the future back in the 50’s and 60’s so rail wasn’t invested in... also the MTA is run by a bunch of idiots although it does seem to be rapidly improving

[@justrant]

@@orangeradishneo cus their railways are subsidized

[@spicefiend]

Ever since I visited Tokyo every other city feels inadequate in comparison

[@largol33t1]

The trains in Switzerland are never late. I mean it, never. It's like the Swiss made an 8th deadly sin: Thou shalt NEVER be late when on a train!

[@SayaBeast]

That's a Swiss thing, lol.

[@usagichanssuk]

I know the feeling! After being japan I can’t believe America has allowed the subway line to be this bad. I’ve heard horror stories from my husband when it came to New York subway lines. While is Tokyo and Osaka it ran so smoothly and was up hours after a darn typhoon hit Osaka. Needless to say New Yorkers got some work ahead of them.

[@darKILLusionnn]

I think the transit system is a bit confusing in Tokyo. I prefer Hong Kong's transit system. When you transfer from one line to another, you just have to walk across a corridor instead of going up or down a level. That makes so much more sense and saves so much time when commuting.

[@KuraSourTakanHour]

largol33t1 Just curious, does Switzerland have many immigrants? or few?

[@rehanpoonawalla7406]

"4 in Boston? 2 in LA? That's cute" Jakarta : *Cries in its single Metro line*

[@Setetoto]

But you have krl and soon some lrt lines right

[@ilog5106]

jakarta rely more on overground tho

[@rehanpoonawalla7406]

@@Setetoto yeah but the krl is extremely slow and overcrowded😀

[@danisplatking7636]

@@rehanpoonawalla7406 Atleast our KRL isn't dirty as NYC Subway, beside train in japan also has Overcrowded problems.

[@quddussalam8593]

Hah?

[@--Paws--]

7:55 I've watched videos of "third world" countries that have updated train systems but the MTA still runs on things from the 1930's??!!

[@michaelmorales1475]

They are installing CBTC to replace old signals, CBTC is on the (L) & (7) lines.

[@WitchidWitchid]

@@michaelmorales1475 The old system will remain in place. CBTC will complement the old system, particularly during rush hours.

[@michaelmorales1475]

@@WitchidWitchid 👌

[@aqua0957]

That Metrocard that was in the video clip from the 90s looks exactly like an expired one that my cousin used a few months ago.

[@soxasora]

lol it's still the same metrocard, in 2018. 30 years later.

[@JohnAzzi430]

this is good content. NYT has to push these video essays more. get on vox's level I think this is better produced.

[@MikeCraft28]

John Azzinaro vox is full of antifia that complain about everything, this was actually enjoyable to watch with every source, not a “expert” that vox always has.

[@Neuzahnstein]

Do you know what Antifa means?

[@UranusGaseous]

are you profa?

[@concentratecorner1744]

im confused is it on the same level as vox's or is it above them?

[@gustavvasa8757]

vox is propaganda

[@MM-NolascoPH]

I love this video! It was very informative and has a history of why and how it all happened. This also made me hate all the people who made bad decisions for the subway and it all started by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Thank you so much!

[@TheLiamster]

I wish that one day the subway is renovated and expanded, there is the potential for a world class transit system but it will cost billions of dollars and is unlikely to ever happen sadly

[@johnthwong]

The production of the video was stunning (kinda Vox-like) As a younger subscriber to the Times, I would love to see more videos like it!

[@creativemindplay]

stunning? excellent, ok.

[@Inkling777]

Not my response. It seem to assume I had the attention span of a toddler. It couldn't go two seconds without changing the visuals. It also fell way short in content. Money issues were discussed without numbers. Yes, less money I thought, but how much less?

[@PaulO-re4xx]

I beg to differ. It is far more captivating to have bright, changing visuals, varying narrators, and narration that gives the viewer simple facts than a voice rattling off stats to a static image.

[@XXMETAL4LIF3XX]

i would def agree if they showed more of those 70s-80s era graffiti covered trains!

[@americangiant1003]

Bingo. I agree 100% on Blue Haired. Combo both the old school of journalism i.e straight non disputed fact and new school i.e tons of videos/photos and basic graphics. IMO Emma (the NYT Metro NYC area Transit Reporter and Main Narrator of this video)did a good job of explaining how did the NY MTA get to it's biggest crisis and (crossroads)since around 1981-1982.

[@pmjf4960]

I love the music, didn't see that one coming

[@SURENITY]

Pmjf It originally came from Spongebob :)

[@8888k]

Suren Xavier which music

[@PaulDBeier]

By the way the spongebob song is called Bad Tempi if you need to here more

[@kevinj2261]

OMG I just LOVE this kind of new way to report news, so much fun!!

[@jacklewis7598]

Everything about this content is fantastic. The editing, the journalism, the lot really!

[@machetedonttweet1343]

I am so glad I retired and moved out of NY. Even this report has my blood pressure up, remembering all the aggravation I went through living there from 1965-2010.

[@tomv5988]

So it was not that good during the 90's? They did make some improvements.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

i am so glad i moved out of america :)

[@nofood1]

@@Augfordpdoggie thats the goal

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@Augfordpdoggie I'm also glad you moved out of America -- you seem to be negative about my country. Don't come back. America has its problems, but it is still the country that most people want to come to and most people want to invest in. We are still the best in most people's eyes.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

@@cathynewyork7918 hi cathy its my country too...still not coming back.

[@KrazeeClark]

I can smell the funk of 100 years of the subway coming through my laptop.

[@Strainj1]

I visited New York from Australia around 6 years ago - spent 5 days using the subway/train system to go everywhere - I was amazed at the overall efficiency and clarity of it - in comparison to what we deal with down here, it's amazing.

[@ethansaviation2672]

Yeah it would be to you😂

[@asianstud7]

lol you crazy

[@ninjapirate123]

u still live in Australia

[@Strainj1]

@@ninjapirate123 yep :)

[@Charonthe_mexican]

The only bad thing for me about the MTA is the delays

[@uHiblubnan]

This video could have been made about London 20 years ago, with it's misery line, temperatures that were worse than legal safety limits for cattle trucks, constant signal failures, derailments and being stuck in tunnels for nearly an hour. Solution: funding.

[@metrofilmer8894]

Both are similar as funding was the issue for the underground and funding is the current issue for the subway. Thankfully, since this video was made, politicians have taken MTA funding more seriously and the service quality has been getting better albeit somewhat slowly

[@italia689]

That makes me feel better. I am a New Yorker, and if our subway is like what yours WAS, then I should be optimistic.

[@Njao6q4vrv73]

One of the best news report I’ve seen

[@Diletantique]

ijoly One of the most difficult news reports to follow.

[@rezziey8435]

watch Vox videos

[@Diletantique]

Rezzie Yildirim I have and they are brilliant (mostly). This isn't.

[@rezziey8435]

Yes! I think this was a bit inspired by their videos. Happy to see them effecting journalism!

[@thomashaigh6098]

Wait.. this isn't vox?

[@FingerStyleMaste1994]

even the subways from China's 3rd tier cities look nicer than New york's

[@monkeyass]

this video is extremely well made

[@erictrappist8603]

The production value of this is remarkably good! Great short documentary, well produced.

[@jackhands31]

Still, the most ridiculous thing about NYC subway is the metrocard still using ancient swipe technology. While the rest of the world is using tap 😂😂😂😂

[@flushingrailfanner6391]

They still used tokens IN THE 90s!

[@americangiant1003]

Jack there finally plans to finally go to a "swipe" system of payment by around 2021 at the latest for the NYC subway.

[@jolo7]

jackhands31 Really? You tap A BUTTON?! SERIOUSLY? Have I been missing out

[@raney150]

@@jolo7 no, you tap your transit card. Or you tap your phone with Google, Samsung, or Apple pay. Or if you are one of the like 5 people with a tap to pay card you can use that. We use it here in Chicago.

[@raney150]

@Just an Indian awkward guy showing the ID is slower and leaves more room for people to get on for free. That's why a lot of cities have swipe or tap to enter. The bus driver doesn't have to inspect it, and since they don't it saves time.

[@Akelehimarenge]

In delhi and Dubai they have pilot less train and fully automated signalling systems, i am amazed how nyc mta is using such an archaic system.

[@bassemb]

Dubai subway began operation in 2009 Delhi subway began operation in 2002, still being built NYC subway began operation in 1904. When something is really old and really complex and needs to keep running 24/7, it's pretty difficult to make major changes to it And that's not to mention all the political nonsense

[@fahimariffin7501]

Delhi ?'? Install toilet first !

[@ellastanton4033]

@@bassemb not when "something is really old". More like "when a system is severely neglected and exists just to turn a profit"

[@bassemb]

@@ellastanton4033 Yup that's the "political nonsense" part

[@ChromePalace]

Rahul Pandey In Dehli they also have massive slums. Pick your battles.

[@krpio5873]

The only reason why state and local officials neglect the subway is beacuse they personally dont use it. They have no real invested interest in it. "A subway system that is on time and respects the dignity of millions? Nah, lets bail out a ski resort".

[@skrxxet7845]

"I know one thing: anything is better than that 1 train"

[@djwestbrook36]

i dont care about dirtiness, i care about simply it being on time. but all these people saying 'has it always been this bad' have short term memory as new yorkers know that the subway was more dangerous and more dirty before. but i believe it was on time more often.

[@yaimavol]

But do you ever ask the question -- how much do the people paid to clean it make? Yep, $ 150K.

[@squiggleworks9]

It was definitely more on time before. I came of age in the 90s and early 2000s. I could get from my house in Queens to my high school internship on the UES in 20 minutes. In the summer. During rush hour. Now, if I give myself less than 1 1/2 hours from the same relative neighborhood to midtown I’m late

[@djwestbrook36]

No way the janitors or the people sweep it make that. I think most people deep down love the 'edginess' of new york and that dirtiness of the subway. However, i dont think anyone likes late trains.

[@correctionguy7632]

"I think most people deep down love the 'edginess' of new york and that dirtiness of the subway." keep telling yourself that boi

[@orangeradishneo]

I'm from Canada, near Toronto - the TTC is probably if not worse, just as bad as the NYC subway in terms of delays. People often try to compare our subway system with NYC's as something we should be striving for (at least, in terms of how it's organized and how many lines there are) so, there's SOME sort of impression the subway system there is/was good.

[@lifeiszain]

Omg and i thought DC metro was bad i will sit down and shut up now

[@karinefonte516]

Oh no, keep complaining... otherwise you'll end up with a similar disservice.

[@FlightX101]

Boi you have no idea... people regularly sue for how bad the system is...

[@cameronriccio6050]

The green line is really bad still

[@PungiFungi]

At the least the DC metro stations (at least the ones I were in) are clean AND have air conditioning.

[@canoeguy]

Lol same here

[@kevinnorris6558]

Our subway system is literally based on old 60’s infrastructure, and you wonder why there’s so many signal delays and other problems. Modern subway systems like the ones seen in Asia and Europe would be great for handling the massive population of our city. Not to forget that as the MTA fare increases, the quality of service stays the same or actually decreases. There’s so much traffic here and the trains can’t even save you, so it’s no wonder why so many people just jump the turnstiles.

[@suntzu1409]

That one moment when subways force you to use cars:

[@krazykittykat759]

Can we all just admit how creative and amazing the video editor was?

[@roachtoasties]

You think it's bad now, I remember visiting New York in 1980. The subway cars were scribbled on from head to toe with graffiti, they chugged along slowly, with the lights inside constantly flickering, they smelled awful, and of course, no air conditioning in the middle of summer. It was a horror. The last time I visited New York, things have improved. Newer cars, although the stations are still old. Anyway, it could be worse. I've seen it.

[@FirstnameLastname-ct6vu]

roachtoasties the bx in the 70s were 100% worse.

[@alexojideagu]

Basically like Level 2 in the Videogame FINAL FIGHT

[@MIO9_sh]

MTA now in 2019: we achieved the 1970's world standard on underground metro, congratulations to us

[@Vapor817]

They did mention how it was a shitshow in the 70s and 80s but by the 90s it had gotten back to world class standard

[@zerotoux]

All of the major news channels copied Vox's style because they realize it'll keep your attention better. But this is a little TOO much editing...

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

I thought the age of quick cuts was over. You know, each piece is three seconds long, and you have to re-focus your eyes continually. I think I have a headache after watching all those cuts. My attention stops while watching quick cuts.

[@pink7727]

I like this approach. It was very creative, showed to a wider audience, and was more interesting than a more dull, interviews-and-facts based documentary.

[@biancadesousa]

eh, i liked it

[@arshanlyngdoh3343]

For a while I thought I was watching Vox

[@bimbop7693]

Yeah, this is trying too hard. I love their clips that are fully animated by one artist.

[@princessmarlena1359]

It barely got “The Warriors” back to Coney Island.

[@igotnojams4958]

This has been one of the best edited videos I've ever watched.

[@emmajosephson4976]

This is the kind of new news videos we all love to see! I want to work for the New York Times be apart of creating them myself.

[@emmajosephson4976]

What is the name of this videos producer?

[@SoloTravelerOffTheBeatenPath]

Emma Josephson The NYT is going under. They may not even be around for much longer.

[@frankgarrett9500]

polifatts Because king trump says so?

[@SoloTravelerOffTheBeatenPath]

Frank Garrett No, because they literally are going under. They just had massive layoffs, and their viewership is down significantly from its peak. It’s not just NYT though. Mainstream media as a whole is dying off.

[@frankgarrett9500]

polifatts And being replaced by what? Breitfart and FAUX news? God help us all.

[@haruruben]

5:20 I LOVE THIS SONG! hire this guy to make a new School House Rock type show!

[@anthonyriche552]

Omg I'm from NY and I'm sooo glad to be out of there! I'll always love my city but the politics were awful and it could be felt in the subway system. Late trains, dirty trains and worse of all- constant increases in fare rides made things so frustrating. Great piece here. I remember when politics got involved in the MTA because that really did change everything sadly.

[@chriskevini]

Such a fun and informative video! Well done NYT!

[@mhambimusonda]

It's so embarrassing to be a New Yorker on this front. I live in South Corona, Queens I love the Subway my Grandpa & I use to ride it all the times. The NYCT has come a long way to be honest. My Apartment is near 63rd Street Rego Park and that station during Rush Hour is A Hellhole. Governor Cuomo & Mayor De Blasio needs to get their acts together to fix the NYCT.

[@Ram0nAlan]

Politicians, the useless class of the world.

[@pa7957]

Politician is a very hard job .. Maybe the hardest one on the planet

[@SurprisinglyDeep]

@@pa7957 Thats only if the politician is an honest, hardworking individual. Pretty much ANYONE can sit at meetings all day, write and give speeches to the public and vote yes or no on votes. The only special skill required is getting elected.

[@pa7957]

@@SurprisinglyDeep try and see for yourself , easy to to say and good luck !!!

[@SurprisinglyDeep]

@@pa7957 No seriously, this is a flaw with political systems. Im not saying there are no good politicians. I'm just saying that politicians are not required to know anything or have any actual skills beyond being charismatic enough to win votes. Even the charisma thing isn't neccessary if its an appointed position. Issac Newton once became a member of the English Parliament based on his success in science but never actually said anything or contributed to any debates while in office, he just voted yes or no on bills.

[@pa7957]

@@SurprisinglyDeep the bigger problem is that the system is too corrupt anyway ...

[@genieeb9368]

Girl this video is amazing

[@jamesshaw3500]

No one's gonna talk about this street musician, and how he is better than most of the big music artists.

[@TaylorAshtonMusic]

thank you!!!

[@kollusion1]

That guy outshone the whole video. He was the only real thing in it. Great voice.

[@sandcastle1128]

*Tokyo Metro laughing behind* + Edit (June, 2019): Oh wow! I've never had this many likes and replies on a comment! Thank you all very much!

[@yodesuyo]

american transit is a joke compared to European public transit let alone Tokyo LOL

[@charliewright4044]

London Underground says hi

[@channelinactive2053]

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Warm Springs/South Fremont line says If New Yorkers laugh at me, I will take them to Balboa Park station and then drive 500 MPH All the way past Future Berryessa Station and crash you all the way onto US-101

[@flyingzone356]

Tokyo? Not bad for one of its age. But try Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and especially Taipei's metro systems. Those are how a modern metro system should look and function.

[@KayJayOffical]

flyingzone Singapore looks like it's going downhill. Frequent breakdowns, security lapses, faults, and negligence are becoming common on SMRT now.

[@nickhiscock8948]

The entire system needs a brand new signal system. The modern in cab signal system known as European Train Control would make a world of difference. As that allows for trains every 90 seconds. Also the stations need major upgrades to make them fully accessible and more bright and airy inside. Platform screen doors along the edge of the platforms would greatly improved the look and safety at stations. Also part of the process to install the platform screen doors could be used to remove the columns that block passenger flow on the platforms. By relocating the columns to become either part of the door structure or to tunnel walls allowing a larger clear space in the station. Completely walk through trains that allows passengers to move throughout the whole train in airconditioned comfort would help distribute the passenger load better through the whole train.

[@michaelmorales1475]

They're installing CBTC, the (L) & (7) lines have them alteady.

[@WitchidWitchid]

"The modern in cab signal system known as European Train Control would make a world of difference. As that allows for trains every 90 seconds. " It is implemented and being tested on the L train. If it works out it will eventually be implemented on all lines.

[@uptownsanz4465]

They’re gonna install CBTC on the E, F, M and R between Jackson Heights and Forest Hills soon

[@WitchidWitchid]

@@uptownsanz4465 yeah. They have been doing a lot of work in that section for a while now. Signal related work.

[@screaminberries9046]

As someone who lives near NYC and uses the metro a lot, it makes me so upset on how dirty it is. I know it's not great to compare countries but I'm currently in Seoul and their train system is excellent. They're living in modern days while when I go back to NYC metro, it feels like I'm in the 90s or 80s. There needs to be funding to the metro. And making people pay for it with the fares isn't working because that money goes somewhere else.

[@250tsar]

6:59 imagine they would stop between stations and feel how New Yorkers feel

[@2KGrind09]

I rode the NY subways & survived!

[@2KGrind09]

If I can survive Chicago El & New York subways...... I'm good

[@qjtvaddict]

Craig F. Thompson shill

[@jumpman2326]

2KGrind09 I ride it everyday

[@ggthewhale]

Great video. Tight editing.

[@callmeswivelhips8229]

No wonder I appreciated it. I love the Vox channel

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

This is the best New York Times video, I have ever seen today! : )

[@hey9433]

Does anyone else keep re watching this video because of how well put together it is?

[@krenee8640]

I love the way this video is put together and edited with the stop motion stuff and the ‘paying the busker to write a song’ thing and the talking cut-out head thing...really really great production and I’m an aspiring content creator who is super inspired by the way this was made . Thank you!

[@augustmannertorn6107]

What’s the busker @ 5:07 ’s soundcloud? He’s so good!

[@robertetzenhouser]

I know I love that song lol

[@taylorwinter9365]

Seriously what’s his name?! He’s so good!

[@neo1027]

@@taylorwinter9365 Taylor Ashton. Saw it on the credits at the end of the video.

[@kingchamuco1]

Rwally?! That banjo sounds way out of tune. You all def or something?

[@lightning77125]

Saying this from 2023 almost 2024, I'd say the MTA has recovered. I can get on a train, and it'll go FAST. 7 Ave, Queens Boulevard, and Lexington Avenue as well as Flushing have fast, express service and local service. I love the subway nowadays, and it has definitely improved from 2019.

[@johnpuga1982]

This was/is a really creative video. Kudos to the graphics team.

[@morrotaruna2115]

"we never really know where the train is" OMG

[@danielribeiro2113]

The signal system is the backbone of any transit system and considering that most of the equipment is from the 1950sand and older who knows when they will be back on track. Only way is to invest major money and shut down whole branches at a time. Trurh hurts.

[@cool2180]

Dirty Ribz listen the old signal system that they had was most reliable than the one they got now. Thats the truth. If you take time to research what how the current system compares to the old one you would understand

[@keithkoganeislife3144]

Meanwhile in Tokyo the metro company apologizes if there is a 20 second delay.

[@technomad9071]

WWWWOOOOOO there! i live in Cape Town and our system is EXPECTED to be at least 45 minutes late every day all-day. there is no way NYC could match that!

[@darelldarell9635]

Jamie MacDonald Приезжай в Москву, здесь всегда по расписанию.

[@andyjay729]

New York, be glad you don't have the DC Metro or San Francisco's BART, which will literally have to be completely rebuilt from the tracks up because of shoddy original design. See, the NYC subway was designed and built like an actual railroad; it just needs proper maintenance and a new signal system. The DC Metro and BART meanwhile were designed by aerospace engineers because that was thought to be the wave of the future (hence why their stations and trains look more Disneyland rides than actual transit systems). Now 40 years later, that once-state-of-the-art technology is breaking down. On BART, the wheels themselves are wearing out because the aerospace eggheads used the wrong kind of metal, which is responsible for the notorious squeal BART trains produce at speed. TLDR: For all its problems, the NYC subway was built to last by people who knew how to run actual railroads instead of the Disneyland Monorail or Peoplemover.

[@kaberus7565]

It's crazy but Chicago might have the best system in the US right now. Delays are very rare.

[@andyjay729]

Okay, I was a bit wrong about BART using the wrong metal in their rails. What I should've said was that BART's rails are flat, whereas most rails are slightly curved, which requires expensive, custom-designed wheels. On top of that, it also has "a unique 1000-volt power traction system" that "can't be repaired or replaced with off-the-shelf technology". And on top of all of that, the system was only designed to carry 100,000 people per week, and now carries about 430,000 per day. www.mercurynews.com/2016/03/25/has-barts-cutting-edge-1972-technology-design-come-back-to-haunt-it/ So again, count your blessings, NYC.

[@qjtvaddict]

Craig F. Thompson ever heard of the purple? Yeah sit down please

[@3ldnah]

andyjay729 Lol that squealing is horrible it's like nails on a chalkboard

[@halomnhh]

andyjay729 MUNI VS MTA

[@emtello3808]

MTA is so awful, especially compare to other cities like London Underground and Paris Metro

[@Roman888]

It's not really fair to compare an American city's transit system to a European city's considering that the latter were historically planned and laid out for pedestrian traffic and not vehicular traffic. Of course a city like Paris is going to allocate more funds into public transportation considering how rooted it is in their societal foundation for people to use it.

[@mrloungefubar7317]

I don't think that's it Tooty. If you watch the video, it appears clear that the MTA's problems stem from a lack of funds, which stem from (best case) bad choices by the people in charge (or worst case) corrupt officials and a broken short term outlook. The Tube is not with out it's issues, but if you compare how much the government spends on it, I'm sure you will find London and Paris spend significantly more per meter of track.

[@Roman888]

Not sure if you read my reply correctly, but we're essentially saying the same thing.

[@WoahItsRuka]

Are you joking? Paris metro is one of the dirtiest in Europe. Milan ATM is leagues better.

[@one_step_sideways]

Paris Metro? Milan ATM? That's cute. Moscow Metro FTW

[@HunkMine]

Wow living in DC, I feel lucky. If they added some lines across the city rather than just for the suburbs and some longer hours which should happen soon it would be perfect

[@sbrechegno]

well researched and funky animated