MESSAGE
| DATE | 2005-05-23 |
| FROM | From: "Inker, Evan"
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Token Booths Shut Down At Eight Stations In Manhattan, Brooklyn
|
Somebody please explain how this benefits the average NYer? There isn't a $$
savings as the former Token Clerks will walk the platforms (and pull down
their usual salary) and who believes that the former token clerks are going
to "perform maintenance on turnstiles, or fixing problems with MetroCard
vending machines" or are even skilled enough to do this.
This is just another example of the MTA getting ready to raise the fare once
again......
Token Booths Shut Down At Eight Stations In Manhattan, Brooklyn
http://ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=51058
May 23, 2005
Straphangers at several subway stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn are seeing
something a little different Monday, as token booth clerks have been
permanently moved from inside their booths at eight stations as part of a
plan by New York City Transit to improve customer service.
The token booth clerks are now called "station customer assistance agents,"
and they'll be walking around the station looking for any riders who need
help. You'll be able to recognize them by their burgundy vests.
In all, NYC Transit plans to get rid of 164 token booths. They'll be
replaced with information kiosks where agents can check on faulty MetroCards
and get to a telephone in case of an emergency.
The new red booths debuted Sunday at Jay Street/Borough Hall, Union Square,
23rd Street and Lexington, Herald Square, Penn Station, Rockefeller Center,
Chambers Street (J,M,Z) and Delancey Street. The rest will be rolled out
over the next year.
The new booths are in entrances that are currently open part-time. All
stations will retain at least one entrance staffed by a clerk 24 hours a
day.
The change is drawing mixed reviews from New Yorkers.
"If something happens, who am I going to ask?" said one straphanger. "But if
they didn't lose their jobs, then I'm OK. No one wants to lose their job."
"I was a little startled. It's the city and people aren't always helpful,"
said another commuter. "But it was great this morning. This guy came over
and helped me, no problems. I'm on my way to work now."
Critics of the plan say it could make agents an easier target for angry
riders or criminals, while making them more difficult for riders to find.
However, transit officials point out that since the clerks will no longer be
able to sell MetroCards and will have no access to cash, they won't be a
target for criminals. NYC Transit also says the agents can better serve
customers and observe problems in the station from outside the booths.
The change will not save any money, as initially envisioned, NYC Transit
says. The agency says clerks can simply provide better customer service
outside the booths, where they can also do other work, like performing
maintenance on turnstiles, or fixing problems with MetroCard vending
machines.
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