Vincent BaroneVerified account

Byford is now going through a presentation that underscores the need of his Fast Forward modernization plan, adds that the short-term Subway Action Plan is “bearing fruit” and stabilizing service.

Byford says the MTA has been “progressively taking out unnecessary speed restrictions” to improve the capacity of the subways: “I don’t think that speed and safety are incompatible.”

A refresher on Fast Forward goals for the first five years of the 10-year plan: —CBTC on five lines —650+ new subway cars —50+ accessible stations —1,200+ CBTC-equipped subway cars —redesign of all bus routes —new fare payment system —2k new buses

Byford says an upside of the L train shutdown will be that the MTA will increase the power on the L line to allow the authority to run more trains.

The MTA is still exploring ultra-wideband technology as a signaling solution for the subways. “If ultra-wise and does prove to be viable, then we can reduce the cost and get the lines resignaled* more quickly and with way less weekend interruptions,” Byford says.

Another hire for Byford. The Transit President says he’s hunting for a CBTC practitioner to oversee the roll out of a modern signal systems for the subways. Byford says he would have done the 7 CBTC project differently to remove complexities, but he came here too late.

I’m not entirely familiar with the nuts and bolts, but Byford elaborated that the 7 line CBTC relies on the use of track circuits, when he prefers axel counters.

.@DRichards13 is concerned about Byfordms crackdown on fare evasion, says that if the city jails fare evaders for not paying, it creates cycle where people with records can’t find jobs in order to afford the fare.

.@CMReynoso34 criticizes the MTA for what he believes is an inequity in its enforcement of fare/toll evasion. He says the agency isn’t aggressively chasing down wealthy car owners skipping tolls, but is instead focused on young people of color jumping turnstiles.

.@ChaimDeutsch says he is now riding the subway.