On Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 3:31:12 PM UTC-4, General Kireiko wrote:   
      
   > The fact that the MTA may have the largest funding ever doesn't change   
   > the fact that it can't afford to pay what's been promised, and has been   
   > kicking the can down the road for some time now.   
      
   NYC has a high cost of operation and after WW I, the transit system   
   lost money on a 5c fare.  Notably, Philadelphia, with lower costs,   
   charged 7.5c while NYC was still a nickel, and remained a nickel   
   until after WW II!   
      
   That left a massive deficit in capital costs.  By 1950, the core   
   subway system was 50 years old and need of major rebuild.  They   
   got new cars, replaced semaphore signals, extended platforms.   
   Well, that was good for 50 years, and now it must be done again.   
   Heck, all those 50-60 year old fluorescent light fixtures are   
   due for replacement.   
      
   The MTA is still running the Brightliners, which are over 50 years   
   old!  They fail a lot.   
      
   The IND signals largely date from the 1930s.  As well as it was   
   built, the components are worn out from age.  Bad insulation causes   
   short circuits.  Relays stick and lock up.   
      
   Then the shops and yards need to be upgraded.   
      
   Power stations need replacement, as does power cables.   
      
   Where Sandy hit, tunnels need to be rebuilt.   
      
   Basically, they're rebuilding the entire subway system.  Only it's   
   more expensive since trains must be kept in operation.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)