New safety barriers at Manhattan subway station receives mixed reviews

New safety barriers at Manhattan subway station receives mixed reviews

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Straphangers have consistently been warned to stand away from the platform’s edge as a train enters or leaves the station.

It is not uncommon to hear about a rider who accidentally falls onto tracks and is pushed onto tracks.

“When you are in the day, it’s nice, but at night, you are always on high alert,” said rider Jake Sullivan.

Now, the 191st Street subway station on the No. 1 train line in Manhattan has some new safety barriers to keep people from falling or being pushed on the tracks.

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The MTA installed yellow fences on north and south-bound platforms.

“Personal opinion: I like it. I think it provides safety. I think it’s a good thing,” said commuter Alex Sisma.

While some riders are glad to see the MTA adding safeguards, others question whether they are enough.

“When the station gets big and busy. I think it’s going to make it more crowded, so I don’t think this is very effective,” said Esther Hughes.

“I don’t think it’s enough because people could just walk around them,” said her son Elias Hughes.

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The railings are aligned so subway doors don’t open in front of them, according to NYC Transit.

A spokesman for the MTA said this is one of four stations that are part of a pilot program to test how well the barriers work. Two stations in Brooklyn and another yet to be determined will also get them. The agency will study their effectiveness to decide whether to expand to other stations.

Last year, safety barriers were installed at three city stations. Some straphangers are hoping they open the door for more high-tech guards in the future.

“It feels a little too little in a way. You see different cities around the world. They have much more robust security. We should have that, too. Good, but not enough,” said Sullivan.

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