AMNY Subway Tracker

It's been fairly quiet of late on the Moynihan Station beat, but there is now a tangible sign of progress. The James A. Farley Post Office building has long been under wraps during rehabilitation of its facade, but the work is clearly moving along. The block-long shroud that covered the Eighth Avenue facade is gone, revealing only scaffolding and views of the building's landmark decorative work, including that impressive colonnade. The stairs -- always a mad scene on tax day, April 15 -- are still largely inaccessible except through narrow sheltered corridors that lead to the grand lobby.

One day, we've been long told, this will be Moynihan Station, a worthy successor to the original Penn Station that once proudly stood across the street.

-- Rolando Pujol

Kalikow speaks: The MTA chair responds to readers questions in today’s News. No real surprises in his answers.
    On the overwhelming summer heat in subway stations:
     “I'm not sure there is an absolute way to solve the problem (in stations). ... It's an open system. I  think July and August in New York is going to be July and August in New York.”

Can you pick me up on one of these weekends in one of your fancy Italian sports cars when I need to go  grocery shopping?
As long as you don't have too many groceries. There's not much room. We'll see what we can do. (I hope the News makes sure Kalikow does indeed give that reader a ride)

    On the contract impasse:
    “For some reason, these things never work out the way you want them to work out.”  [Daily News]

HEET Guards: The TA is spending $265,000 in install guards around the new emergency exits to keep farebeaters from reaching in and pushing the door open. [Daily News]

More heat on HEETs: Inspired by the News, now the AP takes a look at the much-hated HEETS. [AP via amNY]

Dirty job: A city worker was sent crawling though the 54-inch sewer pipe that is leaking raw sewage onto the G line. Problem is still unknown. [amNY]

G is for gross: The News also takes a look on the “sewage swamped” G train. [Daily News]

Captive victim: Even though more and more riders are getting their MetroCards via vending machines, fo rthe second time this month a token-booth clerk was robbed at gunpoint. The union is putting up a $1,000 reward for the perp. [NY Post] Meanwhile, union e-board member Marvin Holland, who represents station agents, tells the Tracker that these type of robberies are not getting the attention they deserve.

If the train doesn't fit: New double decker train cars barely make it through the tunnel into Penn Station. [NY Times]

Photo by Newsday

-- Chuck Bennett

Train troubles: Trains are running now but yesterday sure was hellish. Blame Con Ed, the MTA says. [amNY, NY Times]

Good Samaritan: Man collapes onto subway tracks at the W. 57th St./Seventh Ave station and 32-year-old Sonia Delgado of Far Rockaway pulls him out before an oncomng train strikes him. Amazing! I am getting tired of writing stories about people being hit my trains -- three already over the past three months. Hats off to Sonia. [Daily News]

G is for Gross: Something stinky -- sewage that is -- is haunting the G train. [amNY]

Kalikow wants to sell: News quotes a “source” that Chairman Kalikow likes the city’s $500 million bid for the West Side Yards. Looks like “source” is coming out of City Hall so not too surprising. [Daily News]

While on the topic, MTA vice chairman David Mack dodged questions about the yards at the committee meetings yesterday. One other board member says it isn’t expected to be on the agenda next week either.

More heat on HEETS: No friend of the high exit entry turnstile, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. is calling on the attorney general to probe the “deathtraps.” Still unclear if they actually violate state law or not. Meanwhile about 450 “panic bar” emergency exit have been installed with another 1,000 to go. [Daily News]

Money for Mets fans: Upgrades coming to LIRR and subway station that serves Shea Stadium. And a big study will look at major improvements for the new Mets stadium expected to be built in 2009. [amNY]

-- Chuck Bennett

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