The New Civil Service Title Is “Button Pusher”

Things you enjoy reading on a morning when it is revealed that the MTA budget is in even worse shape than once thought include the debut of the Robo L Train and the transit authority’s novel new system for making sure train conductors are actually at work:

Robo train finally shed its training wheels and took to the rails.

. . .

Communications Based Train Control will enable NYC Transit to run trains closer together, more frequently, and safer than the current antiquated signal system allows, said Associate Project Manager Anthony Candarini.

“It is more efficient. It makes the trains faster and safer because the computer sensors can see things that the motormen can’t,” said Candarini.

. . .

The train began its historic run at the Eight Avenue and 14th Street station at 12:22. The train picked up speed and navigated the turns without losing speed.

“The future has arrived and it feels weird,” said Natasha Fletcher, 22, a student from Canarsie as she enjoyed the smooth ride.

. . .

The MTA had wanted to remove conductors from trains in automatic mode but had to back off because the move violated the transit workers’ contract.

The motormen working the Brooklyn-Manhattan line remained on board, pushing down on a button every fifteen seconds to ensure that they are alert in the event that any problems arise.