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From: jeffj@sfmin.UUCP (J.S.Jonas)
Newsgroups: net.railroad
Subject: Re: subways / European rail (really turnstiles)
Message-ID: <639@sfmin.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-Jan-86 12:45:58 EST
Article-I.D.: sfmin.639
Posted: Wed Jan  8 12:45:58 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Jan-86 00:33:42 EST
References: <238@decwrl.DEC.COM> <208@micropro.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Summit N.J.
Lines: 52

> In article <238@decwrl.DEC.COM> goutal@dec-parrot.UUCP writes:
> >No turnstiles!  (Is Boston the only US city that has those?)
> >-- Kenn Goutal
> 
> New York has turnstiles.  A set fare (I'd quote it, but I'm not sure any
> more.  My first ride was .15 and my last .90.  I think $1.00 is in force

The East coast is full of turnstiles!
The current token costs $1.00, and is the approx. the size of a quarter.
The NY subway has at least 3 styles of turnstiles.
The "old" ones have a large wood "X" that lies on a horizontal plane
and is pushed forward.  The "newer" ones have three large pins
approx. perpendicular to each other, and rotates at an angle so that
two are pointing down and one obstructs your passage.  Both these styles
are only in operation when the token booth is open, since they can be
jumped.  The unattended turnstile is really a revolving door with a
ratchet (so it won't spin backwards) and only allows one person to
enter after inserting a token and pushing in the plunger (to
wind it up?).  This has solid doors, unlike the exit-only
"cheese-slicer" revolving doors.

	The PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) trains also use
the 'newer' style turnstiles, but they have two kinds of coinboxes.
Most accept coins and have a display to show how much you put in
(I use quarters, I suppose dimes and nickels work too).
75 cents gets you in.  Another takes a $1 bill, gives you back
a quarter and activates the turnstile.
The PATH is a toy system compared to the NYC subway.  It is a small
system (third rail) with 5 terminal destinations and 4 lines (2 at night).
It uses small cars, much shorter than any subway car.

	Washington DC's subway (the Metro) works like BART, with
vending machines to buy cards and add fares.  You use the card
to enter and pass the barrier.  I didn't like the barrier - I was
afraid it was a guillotine to chop off my legs if I didn't have enough
fare on my card.  The fare is deducted from the card when you exit.

	BTW, I live in Highland Park, New Jersey and I see the Northeast
Corrider from my window.  I am pleased to see that the center two tracks
are being replaced by continuously welded rails on concrete ties.
It is shared by New Jersey Transit and Amtrack.  New Jersey Transit
suppiles local service, and is upgrading its facilities.
They are installing raised platforms at stations where there are
currently no platforms at all.  This will allow the use of the center
doors (which don't have steps)(the end doors have
steps to get to street level).
I find it reassuring to have an electrified line near me, since it
would be very hard to pull down and abandon.  It should be in
service for a loooong time.

				Jeff 'subway surfer' Skot
				{ihnp4 | allegra | mcnc ..} attunix ! jeffj