So as we all know, there's been a ton of debate as of late regarding what should be done to improve our beleaguered subway. Never mind the fact that half to most delays are the fault of passengers, or that the subway is still miles better than it was only a couple decades ago, the apocalypse is apparently now and we must act. Or so we've heard.
I have my issues with John Samuelsen--I think he fails to actually back his workers, treats himself like a king, and takes politically stupid stances on issues like B/O crashes--but this is is his plan to fix the subway. [I'm leaving out the factually misguided Cuomo-praising end of the plan...seems like he's just sucking up to the State, even if it's worse for workers.]
TWU 10 POINT WORK BOOTS ON THE GROUND PLAN
1) Inspect signals more frequently.
2) Provide more signal emergency response teams (SERT) with accompanying trucks.
3) Strategically deploy maintainers across the system.
4) Develop Standard Operating Procedures and Provide Training
(specifically for signal maintenance)
5) Shorten the inspection cycles for subway cars
6) Shorten the scheduled maintenance cycles for subway cars
7) Correct pre-service train car inspection issues
8) Provide more Road Car Inspector Emergency Response Teams
9) Provide ‘gap trains’ strategically
10) Take a fresh comprehensive look at bus service.
Now, obviously everything on this list is stuff that the TWU supports, since it means hiring more people and putting more hands to work. My question is how essential we think these issues are. I can't figure out what the 'gap train' plan really is for midtown Manhattan and other situations. The other inspection procedures seem reasonable, but I don't think MDBF is really the problem to put the most focus on. If I had a say, I'd be reopening crossovers left and right. Nothing helps a system like flexibility, and the removal of a variety of underused crossovers to save maintenance costs seems like a worse and worse idea every day. I think every station token clerk/attendant fired in 2010 should be rehired, and platform controllers should be added, like those at the 42nd St. pilot program. Needless to say that all of Cuomo's idiotic station window-dressing should be canned immediately and the money redirected. But what else is the answer? Is Samuelsen on to anything?