Commuters will notice something a little different the next time they’re at the 191st Street subway station in Manhattan.
The Washington Heights stop now has platform barriers. It’s the first of four to get the new technology as part of a platform safety pilot program that could spread to the rest of the city.
“It’s still in an experimental phase, and we will be watching carefully to determine if the barriers are effective at deterring track intrusions without interfering with passenger circulation. If they pass the test, we will be ready to deploy widely,” MTA Chair Janno Lieber said in a press release on Sunday.
The barriers – which are placed on the platforms’ edge to allow people to enter and exit the subway safely – were placed at the station over the weekend. The pilot is part of a larger program from the New York City Transit to stop people from getting hurt on the tracks.
The West 8th Street – NY Aquarium station – where the F and Q trains stop – and the Clark Street station – where the 2 and 3 trains pass through – are also a part of the pilot program. The MTA has yet to disclose the fourth station that will get the new barriers.
The MTA said it used existing resources and in-house labor to complete the construction on Friday and Saturday.
“This in-house approach is a good low-cost, low-tech first step solution, and we look forward to more of these kinds of efforts to help riders feel – and be – safer underground.”said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, in the release.
Barbara Terrio is a seasoned business journalist, delving into the world of finance, startups, and entrepreneurship. With a knack for demystifying complex economic trends, she helps readers navigate the business landscape. Outside of her reporting, Barbara is an advocate for financial literacy and enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.
