Canarsie Subway Line Set To Be “Robo-Train” By Summer
By Neil S. Friedman

Canarsie line’s ‘L’ trains are scheduled to be all hi-tech this summer.

If everything goes according to the MTA’s schedule and unless the City Council can implement its objections, the Canarsie “L” line will become the city’s first fully computerized subway by mid-summer.

The $285 million automated subway system, first announced by the MTA five years ago and delayed until concerns for safety were resolved, ap-pears ready to be operational by June, officials announced two weeks ago.

For almost three years weekend “L” commuters have been inconvenienced while overhauls to the line were being conducted to accommodate the state-of-the-art system, called communication-based train control. The switch marks the first major technological change for the subway’s nearly 100-year old signaling network.

In addition to eliminating motormen, which has been a sensitive subject for some riders and several local politicians who oppose the change, the MTA said computers will allow trains to run more frequently, to accommodate more rush-hour commuters, open doors automatically, and have electronic signs at stations providing information about incoming service.

The 10-mile long Canarsie line, which operates between the Rockaway Parkway subway station and Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street in Man-hattan, was selected several years ago because it is one of two of the city’s 22 subway routes — the other is the No. 7 Flushing line — that doesn’t share tracks with other routes, and was scheduled for equipment upgrades. Several years ago the MTA bought new cars for the “L” line in anticipation of the technology upgrade.

Though a computer will run the trains, an MTA spokesperson said that an operator, who can override the automated system in case of an emergency, will be at the controls at all times.

The MTA announced it would start running computer-operated trains, with the motorman remaining in full control, on one section of the Canarsie line in April and switch over the remainder of the line in three phases. Authority executives expect the route to be completely computerized by late July.

City Councilman Lew Fidler, whose district includes “L” train commuters, objects to the “robo-train,” charging it is “transforming local commuters into guinea pigs.”

Fidler is concerned that during an accident there will be no conductor to evacuate riders during emergencies.

Transit Workers Union president Roger Toussaint recently told The New York Times the MTA was trying to eliminate jobs to conceal the cost of the new technology, stating, “This plan lacks the basic test of common sense.”

MTA chairman Peter Kalikow has said, “This will be one of the latest renovations to the century-old system. It will bring about added capacity, shorter travel time and greater efficiencies.”

MTA officials vowed to resolve any existing safety concerns before summer.

For years rider advocacy groups have been calling for a more modern subway signal technology system since the one currently in use citywide was installed in 1906.

An independent survey of the New York City transit system has for the last several years given high ratings to the formerly criticized “L” line. After years of neglect and criticism, the 14th Street-Canarsie line began seeing greatly enhanced conditions in 2001 when it showed a 73 percent improvement in cleanliness, ranking it tenth among the 22 subway routes.

The new “L” line cars, which cost $1.5 million apiece, feature sophisticated information screens, two extra handrails and electronic maps. They replaced some of the oldest subway cars in service when they debuted three years ago.