What does it exactly mean for a subway that's supposed to run every 3-5 minutes to be "late"? Are NY metro trains so infrequent that a schedule is that important?
One train leaves. The next train is due in 5 minutes but doesn't come for 15 because of equipment problems, a medical emergency, etc. Now there are three trainloads of passengers trying to get on to that train. Some won't get on till the next train or the train after that, and the trains get more delayed as people squeeze on. In the end, people are half an hour late to work.
I'm confused as to why the US seems to fail or fall so far behind in infrastructure compared to other developed nations. It seems that we throw money at our problems but seemingly get nowhere. It's sad because there's many amazing things about this country, but we cannot do basic things like make trains run on time.
In almost all cases I think this is a valid critique, but not against the MTA. It's one of the oldest, most complex, largest and among the ten highest daily ridership. To me, it remains an absolute marvel.
Of course daily riders do and will forever complain. As someone who riders infrequently and is warned about impending doom, I find myself too often pleasantly surprised.
What does it exactly mean for a subway that's supposed to run every 3-5 minutes to be "late"? Are NY metro trains so infrequent that a schedule is that important?
Running slower than it is supposed to or broken down frequently. So, the trains still come every 3-5 minutes, but it takes (for example) twice as long to get there sometimes (track problems causing them to run trains slower than normal, or just being stopped for an arbitrary amount of time). So you end up 20 minutes late to your job. So if you absolutely have to be there on time, you have to leave 20 minutes early (at least).
And in my experience there is no cell service when you’re in the tunnels, so you can’t even let your work know there’s a problem.
What does it exactly mean for a subway that's supposed to run every 3-5 minutes to be "late"? Are NY metro trains so infrequent that a schedule is that important?
So, first thing that's helpful to know in answering is that there is actually a schedule for the subway. For example, here's the one for the A line: http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/pdf/tacur.pdf At least back in 2012 or so, when I cared, the A train did keep reasonably close to this schedule (effectively genuinely on it when it wasn't rush hour). It definitely does not keep to this schedule now. Now, do New Yorkers…
> This matters if you can't afford to live in Manhattan
It also matters if you’re catching a regional rail train (e.g. on the Metro-North or LIRR), which tend to run on time to the minute.
I'm confused as to why the US seems to fail or fall so far behind in infrastructure compared to other developed nations. It seems that we throw money at our problems but seemingly get nowhere. It's sad because there's many amazing things about this country, but we cannot do basic things like make trains run on time.
In almost all cases I think this is a valid critique, but not against the MTA. It's one of the oldest, most complex, largest and among the ten highest daily ridership. To me, it remains an absolute marvel. Of course daily riders do and will forever complain. As someone who riders infrequently and is warned about impending doom, I find myself too often pleasantly surprised.
I don't buy it, many international cities have just as big and complex systems. Trains generally run on time in Paris, London, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing. Seems just about everyone can do it except us. I think it's a valid question to ask, given that there's nothing exceptional about NYC compared to others in its "weight class".
What does it exactly mean for a subway that's supposed to run every 3-5 minutes to be "late"? Are NY metro trains so infrequent that a schedule is that important?
THe keyword here is “supposed”. I don’t have regular experience with NYC subway, but used to ride Toronto subway everyday, which is the subject to the similar problems. The trains do arrive every 3-5 minutes on weekdays, but then something happens (security incident on a train, unauthorized person on a track level, fires, signal problems, or - the most horrible - “personal injury on a track level”, the language for s…
Here in Paris, the rail & subway company instead of "personal injury on a track level", use "people accident". I'd say that most of the lines in Paris are the same.
I have a limiting rule, living in New York, to leave for meetings no later than 1 hour before the start time. It ensures I’m relaxed and on time. It gives me a moment to observe before the action begins. And it forces me to be more judicious about the number of meetings I book. (Granted, this only works since I can be productive on my phone while I wait.)
To me (as a life long New Yorker) this is yet another sign of our decaying society - our crumbling empire. I've often wondered if the people of Rome understood that their empire was crumbling. Did they actually see the signs as it happened, or did it occur in such a way that the slow-motion decline wasn't sharply felt? The problems here aren't just the subways. The roads, the bridges and other infrastructure are also crumbling around us. The airports are a disaster of endless construction that never get completed and just add to the misery of travelers and the sense of overall decay. The LIRR is as bad or worse as the crumbling subway system. More New Yorkers are living paycheck to paycheck as the cost of housing, healthcare, insurance, and education soar far beyond what working people can afford. Our bloated bureaucracy continues to grow like a cancer, guided by the likes of the eminently corrupt Andrew Cuomo (and his allies in both political parties who serve the same moneyed interests), draining ever-more resources while providing ever-fewer critical services. Homelessness and poverty are increasing, while those at the very top of the economic pyramid are growing fabulously wealthy. Among this myriad of growing problems, we as a nation continue to ignore these issues and pour our limited resources into endless foreign wars and occupations. Unfortunately, dark days are ahead.
What does it exactly mean for a subway that's supposed to run every 3-5 minutes to be "late"? Are NY metro trains so infrequent that a schedule is that important?
Subways routinely are: 1 late, 2 closed for repair, 3. de routed etc... eg. today, the 6th is not operating uptown, between 9:45 last night, and 6:am next morning You say, fine, I will take another line, but then the 2 and 3 are not operating at all due to 'tunnel repair', You need to go to work? Your choice is go downtown, take one of the express trains to uptown, and take another downtown train. So, your 15 minutes…
Most annoying is that they rarely if ever post the notices of partial service shutdowns outside the fare gates.
I'm confused as to why the US seems to fail or fall so far behind in infrastructure compared to other developed nations. It seems that we throw money at our problems but seemingly get nowhere. It's sad because there's many amazing things about this country, but we cannot do basic things like make trains run on time.
Plundering the funds meant for unsexy long-term projects to fund services well in excess of current tax revenue is extremely good politics. Liberals love sexy new infrastructure and services, conservatives love the relatively low taxes, no one really gives a shit how smoothly public transit will be working in 30 years.
It's a reassuring signal that American democracy is working as intended: its results truly reflect our values.