WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JULY 8, 2021 13
MTA riders can now access 311 if
in need of assistance on the train
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: Eff ective immediately, due to the
most signifi cant 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
OP-ED
important that we 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 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.
SNAPS
BLUE CHIPS FOR THE WIN
PHOTO BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
Send us your photos of Queens
and you could see them online or in our paper!
To submit them to us, tag @qnsgram on Instagram,
visit our Facebook page, tweet @QNS
or email editorial@qns.com (subject: Queens Snaps).
link
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
