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New York Computerizes its Subway System

Posted by timothy on from the do-the-f-line-next dept.

Iphtashu Fitz writes "New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority launched it's first fully computer controlled subway line this month. The `L' Line of the MTA that connects the southern part of Manhattan with Brooklyn was picked for this pilot program because of its relatively short length and the fact that it doesn't share tracks with any other lines. Trains on this line no longer have conductors on board, and only a single driver in the front to monitor all the systems. What's the big deal, you may ask? After all, cities like San Francisco and Paris already have computerized subway lines. Well, having recently celebrated its 100th anniversary the MTA is one of the oldest subway systems in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. If all goes well, the MTA will continue to expand automated service to the rest of the subway system over the next 20 years. But just how safe and secure will these new automated lines be? The radio links that provide data communication between the trains and the control center are encrypted, but how long until a hacker manages to crack it?"

2 of 492 comments (clear)

  1. Just a scam to avoid paying working people by scottfk · · Score: 1, Troll
    Knowing the MTA (the New York State agency that runs New York City's public transportation), this has just been an expensive boondogle to transfer money from working New York City residents (the CR's, or conductors) to the executives of the companies who "bought" this system with kickbacks.

    Look at the last "triumph" of the MTA... the MetroCard. How much does the MTA pay to the failed defense contractor who provided the somewhat-reliable MetroCard infrastructure? How much does the MTA pay each year for MetroCard media (of course, only said former defense contractor can provide these magstripe-laden pieces of plastic)? And based on these "savings," how many token booths have been closed? (Extend this to the extended number of muggings in the now-unsupervised subway stations...)

    If I weren't such a dedicated capitalist, I'd swear that the money was being shop-vac'ed from labor, straight into the capital coffers.

    In short... we just spent a lot of money to take jobs way from our fellow working-men and women, and sent our latest fare increase to the fat cats in Albany and their pimps.

    --

    Be seeing you.

    scott

  2. Re:How long until its cracked? by Asterisk · · Score: 0, Troll

    How can they be underfunded but not poorly run?

    They sell a service. If they are not earning enough revenue to cover their costs, then they are doing something wrong, QED...