No deuce-deuce fare hike: MTA chair Peter Kalikow downplays suggestions he jack up fares 22% to help cover growing deficits. He also remains firm that he is sticking around after Gov. Pataki leaves office. [amNY]
Panic bars approved: MTA board okays $3.79 million to install another 1,450 “panic bars” at all exit points, including the much hated High Entry-Exit Turnstiles. All 486 stations should have the doors by the end of the year. [Daily News]
Those annoying sirens when people open them should soon become as ubiquitous as car alarms.
Local company Securitech Group in Maspeth got the “unadvertised, non-competitive” contract. It charges about $2,600 each for each panic bar and alarm. In all 1,450 “emergency egress panic bar kits” and 1,356 “controller alarms” will be bought. Installation is not included.
-- Chuck Bennett
