9 votes

Can Andy Byford save the subways?

4 comments

  1. [2]
    Dondo
    (edited )
    Link
    This was a great read. I'm not in New York and have only been there as a tourist, but I would love for someone with that passion and drive to come to Bangkok and work on our, much smaller...

    This was a great read. I'm not in New York and have only been there as a tourist, but I would love for someone with that passion and drive to come to Bangkok and work on our, much smaller operation, transit issues. I believe he will be successful since he seems to be targeting his colleagues and the customers. I firmly believe that if you have a good superior, that leads instead of instructs, the pride in ones job grows and therefore services improve. I look forward to a follow up.

    FWIW the transit here is one of the most expensive in the region, subway/skytrain/airport rail, and the busses, while cheap, face old age issues and traffic congestion issues. The management of transit seem to think repair of trains can be prolonged until there is public uproar and that the solution to over crowding is not more cars or trains, but instead removing seats.

    3 votes
    1. boredop
      Link Parent
      I hope you're right about this. I have a friend who works for the MTA and she says morale is terrible. And even if that changes, Byford still has a huge challenge in convincing the politicians to...

      I believe he will be successful since he seems to be targeting his colleagues and the customers. I firmly believe that if you have a good superior, that leads instead of instructs, the pride in ones job grows and therefore services improve.

      I hope you're right about this. I have a friend who works for the MTA and she says morale is terrible. And even if that changes, Byford still has a huge challenge in convincing the politicians to set aside their egos and short-term interests so they can do the right thing. There is a lot of anti-transit inertia to overcome in all levels of American government and culture.

      ... the busses, while cheap, face old age issues and traffic congestion issues. The management of transit seem to think repair of trains can be prolonged until there is public uproar and that the solution to over crowding is not more cars or trains, but instead removing seats.

      It sounds like our cities have a lot in common! I hope the politicians in Bangkok learn from our mistakes before its too late. Deferred maintenance of both trains and infrastructure is a big part of why we're in this mess now.

      3 votes
  2. [2]
    boredop
    Link
    Andy Byford, formerly the head of Toronto's transit system, was recently hired to take over New York's MTA and transform a mass transit system that is literally falling apart. But it turns out he...

    Andy Byford, formerly the head of Toronto's transit system, was recently hired to take over New York's MTA and transform a mass transit system that is literally falling apart. But it turns out he can't even get a meeting with the governor or the mayor. Good luck, Andy.

    2 votes
    1. SourceContribute
      Link Parent
      At least it's better than dealing with someone who smokes crack? :|

      At least it's better than dealing with someone who smokes crack? :|

      3 votes