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Moderator: GirlOnTheTrain
New York-AP) -- Transit officials today proposed banning photography on subways and buses to deter terrorists from conducting surveillance of the nation's largest mass transit system.
NYC Transit, the division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that runs the subways, the buses and the Staten Island Railway, said the ban on photography and videotaping wouldn't apply to journalists with valid press cards or to people with written permission.
Officials have paid increasing attention to transit security as the Republican National Convention approaches and after the March 11 Madrid commuter train bombings, which killed 191 people.
Emergency officials staged a mock explosion in a downtown Manhattan subway terminal on Sunday.
NYC Transit President Lawrence Reuter said the rule changes were intended to enhance security and safety for customers and employees.
Gene Russianoff, attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, a commuter advocacy group, said the photo ban raises serious First Amendment issues by allowing only journalists and people with MTA permission to take photos and make videos.
The photo and video ban had been part of the rules on ridership until 10 years ago, when it was removed.
NYC Transit also proposed banning passengers from using end doors to move from one subway car to another, putting feet up on seats and standing on skateboards on subways or buses, among other changes.
Violators of the rules would be subject to fines. The changes need MTA board approval after a 45-day period of public comment.
efin98 wrote: The only limit is the extra equiptment you wuold use(no tripods, flashes, or anything that can obstruct)and where you can and can't photograph(anywhere that is public property and in view from public property, minus sensitive areas).That's the way the rules are right now, so...
efin98 wrote:I find it funny and ironic that people are willing to spend thousands of dollars on a hobby but won't spend a few dollars on a permit to allow them the right and protection to allow them to lawfully practice that hobby. So you would have to buy a permit, big deal. It's not the end of the world.That is of course all providing that there will actually be permits availible, and that they'll actually be good for something. It's entirely the difference between the MBTA's permits, which are free and allow photography anywhere in the system for 3 months, and NJ Transit's "permits", which are difficult to obtain, only allow photography in one specific place and expire after one day. And, no matter how you you look at it, tourists that might snap the casual photo are screwed. It's the idea -- why should we have a permit (which the MTA can eliminate on a whim) to do something that's free and legal anyway?
