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Discussion relating to the past and present operations of the NYC Subway, PATH, and Staten Island Railway (SIRT).

Moderator: GirlOnTheTrain

 #1341705  by GirlOnTheTrain
 
Below are the published rules regarding photography in the MTA New York City Subway system copied verbatim from the Rules of Conduct page found on the MTA website.

Section 1050.9 - Restricted Areas and Activities
"Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part."

Also of note, part (a.) of that same section: No person, except as specifically authorized by the Authority, shall enter or attempt to enter into any area not open to the public, including but not limited to train operator's cabs, conductor's cabs, bus operator's seat location, station booths, closed-off areas, mechanical or equipment rooms, concession stands, storage areas, interior rooms, catwalks, emergency stairways (except in cases of an emergency), tracks, roadbeds, tunnels, plants, shops, barns, train yards, garages, depots or any area marked with a sign restricting access or indicating a dangerous environment.

In other words - keep it simple, use your camera and nothing else. Also of note, some cops (and employees) aren't aware of the photography rule...but being polite and respectful will get you much farther than arguing about it. Pick your battles and cooperate. People get paranoid and call things in - most likely the responding official is merely doing their job, and if they really want to hassle you about it...leave and go somewhere else. There are over 400 stations in the system. It's not worth the argument, no matter how right you may be.

It also might be worth having this printed out and on your person: http://www.lirrhistory.com/photog.pdf. While LIRR-centric and not mentioning NYC Transit, it is acknowledgement by the MTA that there is no photography ban.