MTA RIDERS CAN NOW ACCESS 311 IF
IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIN
are doing all we can to bring ridership
back.
Part of that means allowing customers
to use every tool available
when it comes to reporting incidents
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JULY 9-JULY 15, 2021 13
OP-ED
BY SARAH E. FEINBERG
At the close of last week, we were
thrilled to be able to share some
very positive news with our riders
and employees: Effective immediately,
due to the most significant
upgrade to the 311 system since its
creation more than two decades ago,
MTA New York City Transit subway
customers can now use the 311 system
to request assistance for anyone
within the subway system.
That may sound like something
that should have been happening
all along, but it wasn’t -- and this
important 311 upgrade comes at a
critically important moment for our
system, a time when public transit,
like the city it serves, is rolling back
from the depths of a global pandemic.
As the city continues its economic
recovery, it is important that we
LAST WEEK’S TOP STORY:
Construction underway on borough-based jail in Kew
Gardens
SUMMARY: The city is moving ahead with its controversial borough
based prison in Kew Gardens. The mayor announced that
construction is underway for the parking garage and community
space alongside the new jail.
in our system, so we can address
them and get people the help they
need.
Until now, dialing 911 was really
the only way to access immediate
and professional assistance for
someone in need. And 911 remains
the best option for true emergencies
-- but in reality, many situations
don’t require a police response.
For example, in cases where
there’s a vulnerable individual experiencing
homelessness or a mental
health crisis, dialing 911 provides
a law enforcement response
when what is needed is a social services
response.
In cases where police are not
needed, it is almost always more
prudent to call 311, so the city can
connect those in need with appropriate
services and resources.
Until the update last week, subway
customers were not able to do
this because the 311 system did not
geographically recognize the subway
system as part of the city. I’m
thrilled that this is no longer the
case.
NYC Transit has been asking for
this upgrade for a long time now and
I’m grateful to our City partners for
acting to eliminate this gap in service.
The subways are a vital part of
the city and everyone in our system
should be entitled to the same support
they’d receive above ground.
So please, if you are in the subway
system and see someone who
needs immediate and professional
assistance, you can do your part to
request help for them by calling 311
or using the 311 app or web portal.
They are available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, 365 days a year
Sarah Feinberg is interim MTA
New York City Transit president.
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