I couldn't agree with you more! I'm a Boston boy myself and have, for years, LOVED taking pictures of the original El along Washington Street and of some of the stations. You're right. Nothing's worse than someone getting in the way of my subjects, "the station" or "the vehicles." I'm a subway buff. Always have been! Good luck to you!!!!
Take care! Starr
I have been a railfan 62 of my 65 years maybe longer. Of all the railfans I know I do not know any one of them who would do anything to harm the railroad and the people who work
on them.
Most feel that the section of track they hang round belongs to them and
will fight you to the death if someone tries to harm there railroad.
When will the railroad officals and our leader in washington see tha there are a lot of eyes and ears out there how would be happy to help lookout for the bad guys. I thing they are worred that we will do a good job and may them look bad.
I am a transit fan from Australia and have visited the USA several times. Planning an overseas holiday takes plenty of time and often authorities in the USA are reluctant to answer international correspondence or email. So getting a permit could be cumbersome for an overseas visitor who might take his tourist dollar elsewhere.
Dear Straphangers--I am beyond set back at hwo ruthless the MTA is! I talked to a MTA employeee today. He said that they theat them the same way, basically because the MTA has no one with whom to be held accountable to--so they "do what ever they want"
I am insulted by this and find it very revolting! I just read about this in the AM New York today--I did not even KNOW it was unlawful to take pictures in the subway> I see people doing it all of the time--I guess they must be tourist--funny if they give atourist aticket for taking pictures in the subway! THATS a sure fire way to boost the tourist industry in New York city! I have other comments to leave -but I know I have to leave them in another section of your web site.
Angry at MTA. Michael Stuckmeyer
Dear Straphangers--I am beyond set back at hwo ruthless the MTA is! I talked to a MTA employeee today. He said that they theat them the same way, basically because the MTA has no one with whom to be held accountable to--so they "do what ever they want"
I am insulted by this and find it very revolting! I just read about this in the AM New York today--I did not even KNOW it was unlawful to take pictures in the subway> I see people doing it all of the time--I guess they must be tourist--funny if they give atourist aticket for taking pictures in the subway! THATS a sure fire way to boost the tourist industry in New York city! I have other comments to leave -but I know I have to leave them in another section of your web site.
Angry at MTA. Michael Stuckmeyer
I completly agree with the ideas stated on this petition. I think it is foolish to ban transit photography--it in no way aids terrorists. If a terrorist wants to cause damage he will get on a bus and blow himself up, he does not use pictures. Please do not take our hobby away. Thank you.
As an Australian thinking of travelling to the US, I`m horrified to think I may not be able to take pictures when & where I want as I get about your city.
Photos of life in New York includes photos in Subways and Buses and is a part of the tourist experience. Taking that away would be foolish given our city's dependency on tourist revenue.
ANY Photography Ban is simply an unconstitutional slap in the face for us law-abiding, tax-paying citizens! I don't think the terrorists in Madrid needed pictures to blow up that train...And I don't think terrorists ANYWHERE need pictures to know Penn Station is crowded at rush hour! Give me a break! I WILL NOT stop taking pictures of trains. Clear and simple. If YOU want me, come and get me...I seriously think anyone and everyone is trying to milk 9/11 for more than it's worth...Simply conjuring up new "threats" to try to stop?? Seriously. What's wrong with these people?
I look at the photos for inspiation !! I am a working woodworker/artist.I build model railroads and dioramas,columns etc. So, we are suppose to shut our mouths and be good little citizens? No!! More pics please!!
I have hundreds of bus photos on my website, both for my own interest and to let bus fans who cannot travel what these vehicles look like. Also, many older buses on the road will soon be retired. Who will remember wonderful machines like the New Look if we can't take photos and make a good historic record?
Frankly, if this ban goes into effect, it is just further evidence that the terrorists have already won. We are letting fear change what really makes America unique, and some we are being treated like babies from inept, misguided, or even power-hungry representatives of our government.
I believe that anyone who wants to take photos of our great transit system should be allowed to. It also saves the Transit Museum money. Also, what everone else said!
It's just plain dumb.
1. There are already pictures of the whole system all over the web.
2. The tourists will be the ones hurt. Tourism is NYC's #2 industry (after Wall St.)
3. Terrorists will covertly snap away anyway - its only $25 for the fine.
4. Aren't we all sick and tired of ceding our freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism. Im starting to think they actually are winning.
Surprised, shocked, and perhaps angered. I have a scanner radio which is tuned to transit frequencies here in Toronto and I hear quite often reports of people investigated for taking pictures and/or videos of buses, bus platforms, subway trains, subway platforms, etc. I still do not see the threat posed by taking these pictures. It's also not like Toronto is some major potential target for some bad guys.
This is a stupid ban. Come on new york, put your efforts into something else, such as recognising and actively fighting to reduce the greenhouse effect. Wake up and smell the coffee America.
This ban will do little, if anything, to improve security. Subway track maps and car layouts are public knowledge and easily observable by anyone who rides the trains. The subways are operated for the public good and are a central feature of life in New York. Artists and community members deserve the right to photograph the system that carries them home every day.
Banning photographs will not help defeat terrorism and probably will hinder it's defeat. We are paying for the transit system and it needs to be run according to those paying for it.
I love the MTA subway system and I think pictures of the trains and stations are awsome. It's such an amazing system and I think that people should be able to photograph such a technological marvel.
As a railfan and photographer (not to mention a news reporter) I find such encroachments on common decent behavior of law-abiding citizens to be reprehensible--especially by government officials ostensibly elected to serve us, not put us all in chains to kowtow to their whims. I have no problem with reasonable safety precautions, and both TRAINS and RAILFAN AND RAILROAD magazines have called for fans to use common sense and stay safe when practicing our avocation. That said, I can see no legitimate reason for banning photography of trains, transit, or other forms of transportation--and in fact I believe such a ban would be a violation of our First Amendment right to free expression. Thus, mu signature, and my support.
Since we all know that terrorists are the ONLY ones that would ever take pictures of the subway... psh not.. OK. First off, this poses an issue for enforcement, clearly this cannot be implemented as it is stated due to the discreet nature of photography today (camera phones, etc). Also, it would but another tax burden upon the MTA, the burden of this said enforcement. Also, true terrorists could easily use hidden methods of photography, or better yet, actually visit the station (perhaps, just maybe, they would look at the subway map).. I mean lets get real here, this isnt about terrorism, this is a power-play by the MTA to gain more control upon its riders. Dont punish the tourists, if we keep going down this path, we might as well ban the subway map, and just hope that we take the right train to work ..
the ban shouldnt go thru for all the people who visit are great city and for the people who live here who wanna take pictures to send to people or to make memories...they need to keep it as it is
Some of my first memories of NY are of taking pictures in the subway, just because it was such a fascinating environment. I think a ban would do nothing to protect us and a lot to diminish our enjoyment of the city.
I opposed the proposed ban because it is an infringement on my civil liberties and because I do not believe it will be an effective means of preventing would-be terrorists from planning an attack on an MTA facility.
The ban will do nothing to improve security, quite contrary. It wouldn't deter the bad guys from photographing anything they want with easy-to-conceal camera phones - or from doing things much worse than that, while the police will be busy busting tourists who want their picture taken in the subway.
