Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #26 Posted January 30, 2019 2 minutes ago, MysteriousBtrain said: You are correct on this matter. these rehabs are just half@$$ed and it's basically "oh look USBs and wi-fi" and call it a day. This is unacceptable. If we call the MTA out on this constantly, then sooner or later these rehabilitations will have to come with elevators. Most stations are easy to put elevators in, but a lot of the work has to do with building pedestrian plazas and widening platforms. I'm still wondering how to make 14 st accessible with those narrow platforms and passageways as well as Canal Street . There were probably a couple more areas that were hard to do but the necessary accommodations were likely already made or not needed. As for who to blame, the ADA avoidment dosen't just apply to the MTA. In general the lack of ADA in the city goes to NYCHA, Cuomo, and possibly a few more agencies in NYC. I never said there is no reason to do a lawsuit. I'm saying its a lot of work to do with these accessibility plans. And honestly I think 7 Av is an easy spot to put elevators. It's just the fact that the MTA is terrible with their budget and dosen't focus on the right things. That's precisely the point. If they aren't forced to budget better and be more accountable and transparent, they'll continue to make excuses about why they can't make more of their stations accessible. It's a similar thing with accessibility to transportation in the outer boroughs and something else that I focus on in my advocacy group, because we haven't had subway expansion in the outer boroughs in decades. Why? "Too expensive", so in other words, it will always be "too expensive" unless they are forced to make changes to bring about changes that are "in their budget". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share #27 Posted January 30, 2019 5 minutes ago, MysteriousBtrain said: I never said there is no reason to do a lawsuit. I'm saying its a lot of work to do with these accessibility plans. And honestly I think 7 Av is an easy spot to put elevators. It's just the fact that the MTA is terrible with their budget and dosen't focus on the right things. My post had nothing to do with the lawsuit... I'm saying that the age of the station isn't an excuse, especially when the oldest station in the United States, Park Street in Boston, is fully accessible. 5 minutes ago, MysteriousBtrain said: You are correct on this matter. these rehabs are just half@$$ed and it's basically "oh look USBs and wi-fi" and call it a day. This is unacceptable. If we call the MTA out on this constantly, then sooner or later these rehabilitations will have to come with elevators. Most stations are easy to put elevators in, but a lot of the work has to do with building pedestrian plazas and widening platforms. I'm still wondering how to make 14 st accessible with those narrow platforms and passageways as well as Canal Street . There were probably a couple more areas that were hard to do but the necessary accommodations were likely already made or not needed. As for your two examples, frankly they should rip up the street in both locations just to fix the current circulation issues and at the same time add elevators. You can remove the gap fillers at 14th by moving the southbound platform further north and abandoning the curved front section (and extending the mezzanine further north to add room for more staircases and an elevator) As for Canal someone mentioned the idea elsewhere of a mezzanine above the tracks connecting the downtown and uptown directly without having to go down to the platform level; at the same time the platform can be widened and elevators installed (obviously the connection to the would be a little more involved) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Union Tpke Posted January 30, 2019 Share #28 Posted January 30, 2019 2 hours ago, VIP said: ADA accessible or not, the woman took a RISK. New York State funding isn’t perfect or up to par to assume every station should have elevators. The station has been there 100 years, no fatalities because someone HAD to walk up or Down the stairs... some of y’all have to stop being so hypersensitive and quickly making the Agency to be the worst thing to happen to New York City. It is impossible to get around the city by subway. PEOPLE HAVE NO CHOICE. Most hard-working New Yorkers can't afford to take an UBER or LYFT, or don't have the time to detour to the nearest ADA-Accessible stop. Stop apologizing for the MTA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 30, 2019 Share #29 Posted January 30, 2019 For narrow platforms, can't they put in those narrow elevators they have in Europe? As for blaming the MTA , what if she lives in a house with stairs? Or a walk-up building with no Elevator? This Outrage and blame is getting out of control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted January 30, 2019 Share #30 Posted January 30, 2019 Sorry, but why is it that in the discussion of an innocent private citizen dying vs. a major corporation sitting on their asses, there are people siding with the major corporation? I'm sure the MTA won't lose any sleep tonight over some incredibly mild and polite comments being left on this thread. The MTA, just like any other company, is going to continue to do things the way they are until there is financial or legal incentive for them to do otherwise, and as such criticizing them for not making stations accessible is entirely reasonable. I get that we're fans of the subway here, but being fans of something means wanting it to improve and be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #31 Posted January 30, 2019 3 minutes ago, N6 Limited said: For narrow platforms, can't they put in those narrow elevators they have in Europe? As for blaming the MTA , what if she lives in a house with stairs? Or a walk-up building with no Elevator? This Outrage and blame is getting out of control. What about it? You're comparing a PRIVATE household to a PUBLIC agency that is responsible for providing ACCESSIBLE transportation to ALL New Yorkers. Can't compare the two. You need to read up on the ADA accessibility LAWS. If I move into a building with no elevator I have a choice to rent elsewhere. People that need PUBLIC transportation that is supposed to be accessible to the masses don't have a choice. The difference here is PUBLIC versus PRIVATE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #32 Posted January 30, 2019 7 minutes ago, ttcsubwayfan said: Sorry, but why is it that in the discussion of an innocent private citizen dying vs. a major corporation sitting on their asses, there are people siding with the major corporation? I'm sure the MTA won't lose any sleep tonight over some incredibly mild and polite comments being left on this thread. The MTA, just like any other company, is going to continue to do things the way they are until there is financial or legal incentive for them to do otherwise, and as such criticizing them for not making stations accessible is entirely reasonable. I get that we're fans of the subway here, but being fans of something means wanting it to improve and be better. It's sheer ignorance. The is NOT a corporation. It is NOT private. It is a PUBLIC agency, which means it is beholden to ALL taxpayers, both able bodied AND disabled people. People here don't understand the laws and the difference between a public agency and a private corporation. That's the problem. The laws dictate what a public agency should be doing versus a private entity. A perfect example: Whenever there are events for the PUBLIC the venue BY LAW must be ADA accessible. Why? So as not to discriminate against people who are disabled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR503 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #33 Posted January 30, 2019 Focusing on stations like 14th St is a distraction. The VAST majority of stations in this system have straight, 15-20 foot wide platforms either 20 feet above or below the street..and yet they still have not been done. For years, the MTA has shelled out massive sums of money for Access-A-Ride and similar programs, which are palliative, inherently unequal solutions that in the long run accrue more cost than elevator installation -- to say nothing of the fact that they only serve one elevator-needing constituency, the disabled, while leaving mothers, people with large packages, the elderly and the lazy out to dry. That's just bad policy, for beyond the fiscal irresponsibility of it all, it's hurting those who are already vulnerable. In an era where we spend capital dollars on glitzy granite for new subways and shiny tiles for the old, I think some...objection is warranted. So look. You can cry and criticize folks who give a damn about accessibility over some supposedly unnecessary level of outrage, but when you do, keep in mind that many of us are not ashamed by our anger. This has been the law for public facilities for decades now, and the MTA -- having renovated most stations in the system since its enactment -- has flagrantly disobeyed it. Outraged? Abso-f**king-lutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay Ridge Express Posted January 30, 2019 Share #34 Posted January 30, 2019 5 hours ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said: Shore Road in Bay Ridge... My God... With all of the $$$ in that area, it was amazing how horrendous the sidewalks are from 99th all the way up to Bay Ridge Parkway. Most sidewalks are a mess. Uh what money? Horrendous sidewalks are also pretty much a no-brainer on Shore Road at this point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #35 Posted January 30, 2019 2 minutes ago, RR503 said: Focusing on stations like 14th St is a distraction. The VAST majority of stations in this system have straight, 15-20 foot wide platforms either 20 feet above or below the street..and yet they still have not been done. For years, the MTA has shelled out massive sums of money for Access-A-Ride and similar programs, which are palliative, inherently unequal solutions that in the long run accrue more cost than elevator installation -- to say nothing of the fact that they only serve one elevator-needing constituency, the disabled, while leaving mothers, people with large packages, the elderly and the lazy out to dry. That's just bad policy, for beyond the fiscal irresponsibility of it all, it's hurting those who are already vulnerable. In an era where we spend capital dollars on glitzy granite for new subways and shiny tiles for the old, I think some...objection is warranted. So look. You can cry and criticize folks who give a damn about accessibility over some supposedly unnecessary level of outrage, but when you do, keep in mind that many of us are not ashamed by our anger. This has been the law for public facilities for decades now, and the MTA -- having renovated most stations in the system since its enactment -- has flagrantly disobeyed it. Outraged? Abso-f**king-lutely. That's exactly it... IT'S THE LAW!! Even if you disagree with the policy, it's illegal what the is doing, which is why they've been taken to court and FORCED to comply with the ADA laws on the books. They don't comply because they want to. They do it because they are required to by law. Big difference... I hope the people siding with the get it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #36 Posted January 30, 2019 2 minutes ago, Bay Ridge Express said: Uh what money? Horrendous sidewalks are also pretty much a no-brainer on Shore Road at this point There are houses on Shore Road in the millions, yet the property owners leave their sidewalks in horrid conditions. The park on the other side of Shore Road is another matter entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay Ridge Express Posted January 30, 2019 Share #37 Posted January 30, 2019 Just now, Via Garibaldi 8 said: There are houses on Shore Road in the millions, yet the property owners leave their sidewalks in horrid conditions. The park on the other side of Shore Road is another matter entirely. Yea lol you can't assume the rich Bay Ridgians will just pay for all of our inconveniences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #38 Posted January 30, 2019 Just now, Bay Ridge Express said: Yea lol you can't assume the rich Bay Ridgians will just pay for all of our inconveniences Actually they're supposed to maintain their sidewalks by law. The City has been lackadaisical in enforcing what's on the books. That's the problem. The sidewalks where I live are definitely nice and smooth and my landlord makes sure that they are because he doesn't want to be fined by the City or face lawsuits from someone should they trip and fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 30, 2019 Share #39 Posted January 30, 2019 5 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said: What about it? You're comparing a PRIVATE household to a PUBLIC agency that is responsible for providing ACCESSIBLE transportation to ALL New Yorkers. Can't compare the two. You need to read up on the ADA accessibility LAWS. If I move into a building with no elevator I have a choice to rent elsewhere. People that need PUBLIC transportation that is supposed to be accessible to the masses don't have a choice. The difference here is PUBLIC versus PRIVATE. If someone jumps off the GWB, is it the Port Authority's fault? Perhaps the Architect? Land surveyor? Cable Installers? Like really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share #40 Posted January 30, 2019 Just now, Via Garibaldi 8 said: Actually they're supposed to maintain their sidewalks by law. The City has been lackadaisical in enforcing what's on the books. That's the problem. The sidewalks where I live are definitely nice and smooth and my landlord makes sure that they are because he doesn't want to be fined by the City or face lawsuits from someone should they trip and fall. Those fools in the houses on Shore Road don't give two shits about their sidewalks... I vividly remember when I went to Fort Hamilton HS one morning, someone must have left a hose on or something overnight because the whole sidewalk and driveway in front of their house was covered in a sheet of ice and the hose was still pouring water when I walked by at 7 AM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR503 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #41 Posted January 30, 2019 1 minute ago, N6 Limited said: If someone jumps off the GWB, is it the Port Authority's fault? Perhaps the Architect? Land surveyor? Cable Installers? Like really Jumping off the GWB is (well, in the most immediate sense) a choice you make. Having been shot in the leg? Having to take care of kids to make money? Having to move large items on a budget? Not so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted January 30, 2019 Share #42 Posted January 30, 2019 4 minutes ago, N6 Limited said: If someone jumps off the GWB, is it the Port Authority's fault? Perhaps the Architect? Land surveyor? Cable Installers? Like really While I do (kind of) agree with the point made, I'd also like to point out that because of the way things were built decades ago dosen't mean you can't improve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #43 Posted January 30, 2019 1 minute ago, N6 Limited said: If someone jumps off the GWB, is it the Port Authority's fault? Perhaps the Architect? Land surveyor? Cable Installers? Like really That's completely different. You of all people should know the difference. As someone who used to work on the insurance end of things and has numerous lawyers as clients, I deal with reviewing contracts and all sorts of things related to liability. The as a PUBLIC agency is responsible for creating AND maintaining a SAFE environment, and YES passengers should expect SAFE conditions when they are on property. That's not up for debate. That's what the law says, so that means that if you slip and fall down the stairs because the didn't maintain their stairs, yes, you could sue the for not providing a safe environment. As for your other scenario, less likely, but should someone decide to bring about a lawsuit on the Port Authority, the question would be, what measures did the Port Authority take to mitigate risk? The law is pretty cut and dry. ANY PUBLIC agency has certain duties that they are responsible for BY LAW. It's that simple. You can disagree if you want, but that's what the law says, and that's why many people that sue win, even if they should've been more careful. The burden usually falls on the public entity to provide a safe environment, and then the question is what is considered "reasonably safe"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 30, 2019 Share #44 Posted January 30, 2019 4 minutes ago, MysteriousBtrain said: While I do (kind of) agree with the point made, I'd also like to point out that because of the way things were built decades ago dosen't mean you can't improve it. The point isn't that things can't be improved, but to just cast blame onto another entity when the blame should be pointed at the person IN THE MIRROR. I've seen plenty of people help women with strollers and I've even helped quite a few. She took it upon herself and fell, we still don't even know if it was an "accident". I'm tired of the Pied Piper mobs. 6 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said: That's completely different. You of all people should know the difference. As someone who used to work on the insurance end of things and has numerous lawyers as clients, I deal with reviewing contracts and all sorts of things related to liability. The as a PUBLIC agency is responsible for creating AND maintaining a SAFE environment, and YES passengers should expect SAFE conditions when they are on property. That's not up for debate. That's what the law says, so that means that if you slip and fall down the stairs because the didn't maintain their stairs, yes, you could sue the for not providing a safe environment. As for your other scenario, less likely, but should someone decide to bring about a lawsuit on the Port Authority, the question would be, what measures did the Port Authority take to mitigate risk? The law is pretty cut and dry. ANY PUBLIC agency has certain duties that they are responsible for BY LAW. It's that simple. You can disagree if you want, but that's what the law says, and that's why many people that sue win, even if they should've been more careful. The burden usually falls on the public entity to provide a safe environment, and then the question is what is considered "reasonably safe"? Yes, it's the law, and yes the environment should be safe, I should not have to worry about the signs in the subway falling on me , etc. But there is personal responsibility which they are, and have been trying to outlaw. The MTA provided a safe environment she lady fell on her own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #45 Posted January 30, 2019 7 minutes ago, N6 Limited said: Yes, it's the law, and yes the environment should be safe, I should not have to worry about the signs in the subway falling on me , etc. But there is personal responsibility which they are, and have been trying to outlaw. The MTA provided a safe environment she lady fell on her own. In this case it appears to be that her death was due to a health issue. If it wasn't though, then the would definitely be under scrutiny. It would be on them to demonstrate that the stairs were indeed safe. I've seen numerous slippery spots in the last few days where one could slip and fall. Quite frankly that's all that would be needed for a lawsuit. A good lawyer would argue that the should've done more to ensure that the steps were indeed safe. Given how slippery many of their floors are, it wouldn't be that hard to win. I have almost slipped and fell with rain boots on, simply because of the slippery floors. Would it be the 's fault? Yes because they should've taken measures to address the problem other than putting up signs. You're dealing with the riding public with THOUSANDS of people using these stations every day. The burden definitely falls of them to be in compliance from a safety perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted January 30, 2019 Share #46 Posted January 30, 2019 Oh come on, really?! The whole point of accessibility laws is so that anyone can get around without having to rely on another person. What if she was in a hurry? What if no one was interested in helping her? Is she just supposed to idle around indefinitely in the hope that someone will come along and help her? That's a ridiculous, 19th century way of looking at the rights of everyone to move around freely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR503 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #47 Posted January 30, 2019 6 minutes ago, N6 Limited said: The point isn't that things can't be improved, but to just cast blame onto another entity when the blame should be pointed at the person IN THE MIRROR. I've seen plenty of people help women with strollers and I've even helped quite a few. She took it upon herself and fell, we still don't even know if it was an "accident". I'm tired of the Pied Piper mobs. There's a river with no bridge, no ferry, and thousands of people wanting to cross -- say the only place they can get food is on the other side. Many cross and drown. Is it the victims' fault for doing what was necessary, or was it the city's fault for not building the bridge? Risky decisions have contexts. In this case, the ME's office suggests that the death wasn't totally related to the fall, but the point still stands: there would never have been a risk of fall or a need for assistance if there had been an elevator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted January 30, 2019 Share #48 Posted January 30, 2019 10 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said: In this case it appears to be that her death was due to a health issue. If it wasn't though, then the would definitely be under scrutiny. It would be on them to demonstrate that the stairs were indeed safe. I've seen numerous slippery spots in the last few days where one could slip and fall. Quite frankly that's all that would be needed for a lawsuit. A good lawyer would argue that the should've done more to ensure that the steps were indeed safe. Given how slippery many of their floors are, it wouldn't be that hard to win. I have almost slipped and fell with rain boots on, simply because of the slippery floors. Would it be the 's fault? Yes because they should've taken measures to address the problem other than putting up signs. You're dealing with the riding public with THOUSANDS of people using these stations every day. The burden definitely falls of them to be in compliance from a safety perspective. It might have been a health issue, which is one of the reasons why I said I'm not putting the blame on MTA like that: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Mom-Dies-Baby-Stroller-Fall-Subway-Stairs-New-York-City-505078722.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 30, 2019 Share #49 Posted January 30, 2019 Just now, MysteriousBtrain said: It might have been a health issue, which is one of the reasons why I said I'm not putting the blame on MTA like that: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Mom-Dies-Baby-Stroller-Fall-Subway-Stairs-New-York-City-505078722.html Yes of course. This appears to just be a tragic accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 30, 2019 Share #50 Posted January 30, 2019 15 minutes ago, MysteriousBtrain said: It might have been a health issue, which is one of the reasons why I said I'm not putting the blame on MTA like that: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Mom-Dies-Baby-Stroller-Fall-Subway-Stairs-New-York-City-505078722.html And this is what I'm talking about. Quick to misplace blame. The same thing could have happened at a station WITH a working elevator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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