What Metro can learn from Delhi
The Dec. 17 news story “Metro to conduct random bag checks” reflected riders’ concerns about a security plan that could inconvenience commuters. The performance of the Delhi Metro in India, one of the most modern and technologically advanced transit systems in the world, is worth considering. The system has 100 miles of track and 132 stations. Passengers must go through metal detectors on every station in Delhi; X-ray machines have been installed for screening heavy bags and backpacks.
After some resentment and obstacles in the beginning, the system is working successfully and pedestrian traffic flows smoothly. If such screening can work in Delhi, with almost a million commuters every day, it should also work in Washington, with fewer than 100,000 commuters a day, and customers will ultimately appreciate the added security.
By
Subhash Vohra, Falls Church
| December 21, 2010; 6:43 PM ET
Categories:
D.C., Metro, traffic, transportation
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Posted by: traderdad37 | December 22, 2010 9:02 AM | Report abuse
News Flash: we're not India; we have a different set of civil liberties than India. Besides, saying that a system works because an attack hasn't happened is specious reasoning.
Posted by: pswift00 | December 22, 2010 10:18 AM | Report abuse
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Subhash, please check your facts:
1. Metro does not count riders but trips, or more accurately entries and exits. There's a difference.
2. There are definitely not fewer than 100,000 commuters a day on Metro. Metro averages about 720,000 entries and exits per weekday. IF, and I say if, you were to assume that everyone is going two way-there and back-then that's 360,000 commuters.