STORY:
Transit Systems Worldwide On Alert

Trains and subways are being cancelled or delayed because of Y2K fears

Mass transit officials worldwide are worried about thousands of New Year's Eve partygoers jumping on trains just a few minutes after the so called computer Y2K bug will supposedly hit. The fear is if the Y2K bug paralyzes subway or train systems, operators will have virtually no time to make repairs or warn incoming riders.

In France, officials of SNCF, France's national train, are planning to stop all trains and subway cars between 11:55 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. to "respond to the anxiety" of passengers. Some U.S. operators, such as the Chicago Transit Authority, will conduct similar pauses according to the Associated Press.

Washington DC officials expect up to 800,000 riders on New Year's Eve on their Metro subway system. Boston is expecting 2 million for its First Night celebration, an increase of 500,000 people from a normal year, while Times Square in New York is expecting upwards to one millennium people in the downtown area.

Amtrak and commuter railroads also insist their trains are ready, but operate on tracks owned by freight railroads. The four largest freight lines in the country - Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific - have not reported their Y2K readiness say press reports.

A Federal Transit Administration survey found that all but four of 550 federally funded operators are Y2K compliant or have contingency plans. The four, all in Puerto Rico, either did not respond or responded incorrectly.

Major subway operators insist they and their equipment suppliers have done all the tests they can do. Privately, some say they're not sure about the reliability of their electricity suppliers according to the Associated Press.

Source: Associated Press

DATE: 10/8/99

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