The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) confirmed that they will install security barriers in three New York Subway stations, in a pilot program that aims to prevent tragic events involving people who have been pushed onto the railway tracks.
The barriers, similar to those that exist in subway systems around the world, are expected to be approved at three stations that are the most feasible for their installation, MTA officials said in a press release. press.
Of the 472 stations of the New York subway system, only 41 of them are able to be equipped with barriers, according to a study mentioned by the MTA.
However, the installation of the barriers in the three stations that will be enabled a priori, may not be completed until 2021, reported NY1 Noticias.
It has been suggested by a working group that rea conducted a study of road warnings that includes suicide prevention messages and efforts to clear homeless encampments at stations.
According to MTA officials, in 2021 there were 68 deaths on the subway tracks; however, the homicide cases are the ones that get the most media interest, such as that of Michelle Go, who was pushed in front of a train at the Times Square station.
“The MTA wants to address this problem of highway intrusions in all its complexity,” said Janno Lieber, President and CEO of the MTA.
“It’s not just the violent assault we saw last month, which was a horrible version of this problem, but also the everyday incidents of people who they retrieve mobile phones or try to cross between platforms. It is an enormous risk for the security and the daily operation of the system”, added Lieber.
Eric Adams, mayor of New York, presented a security plan for trains, stations and buses. In 2021 461 serious crimes were reported in the subway, and so far this year, around from 300.
Furthermore, the mayor stated on Friday that some 350 people currently live in camps at train stations, according to with figures from transit officials.