WMATA mulls photo ban...

AnnexOperator · August 04, 2008, 08:03:07 PM

OKAY I AM A BUS OPERATOR FOR METRO IVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMPANY SINCE 1997 IM NOT TRYIN TO LOOSE MY JOB WITH SOME ONE ASKING ME PERSONAL INFORMATION OKAY. THERE WAS A MEETING THIS AFTERNOON THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BAND ANYONE WHO TAKE PICTURES OF ANY METRO VEHICLE BECUZ OF AND EARLIER INCIDENT THAT HAPPEN ON FRIDAY NOTICES WAS POSTED IN THE DIVISIONS AND GIVEN OUT TO ALL METRO PERSONELL THERE IS A PERSON THAT IS CALLING ALL METROBUS GARAGES SAYING THAT THEY WORK FOR METRO . I THINK THAT THESE FORUM POST ARE GREAT AND REAL COOL BUT U GUYS HAVE TO BE CAREFUL CUZ METRO IS NOT PLAYING WITH PHOTO TAKEN ON ANY BUS OR METRORAIL SYSTEM. SO JUST BE CAREFUL THERE ARE TRYIN TO MAKE A LAW OF THIS MATTER.

There was a meeting this afternoon that they are going to ban anyone who takes pictures of any Metro vehicle because of an earlier incident that happened on Friday. Notices were posted in the divisions and given out to all Metro personnel that there is a person who is calling all Metrobus garages saying that they work for Metro. I think that these forums are great and real cool but you guys have to be careful because Metro is not playing with photo taking on any bus or in the Metrorail system, so just be careful because they are trying to make a law of this matter.

WES · August 04, 2008, 08:15:28 PM

Here is the problem. New Jersey Transit had a law banning transit failed, Boston had one and failed, and New York City was trying in earnest to try to get a law and failed, what does WMATA think that trying to get a law passed to ban photography of buses and trains will work. Also they cannot arrest a person for taking a bus photo on public property.

Lastly I want to know about the incident that caused this issue to come up. It had to be that someone either took a photo in a station, or around it that used a flash, had a tripod or interfered with the safe operation of a bus or train. That can be chaulked up to an idiot, but banning photography for one instance, that's just stupid. Why don't they try and go after more of these kids in SE who are REALLY endandering bus operator lives by throwing rocks and other crap at buses, instead of some hobbiest taking a photo of a bus.

So much for going on with your lives after 9/11.

79MetroExtraMD · August 04, 2008, 08:21:54 PM

Quote from: WES on August 04, 2008, 08:15:28 PM
Here is the problem. New Jersey Transit had a law banning transit failed, Boston had one and failed, and New York City was trying in earnest to try to get a law and failed, what does WMATA think that trying to get a law passed to ban photography of buses and trains will work. Also they cannot arrest a person for taking a bus photo on public property.

Lastly I want to know about the incident that caused this issue to come up. It had to be that someone either took a photo in a station, or around it that used a flash, had a tripod or interfered with the safe operation of a bus or train. That can be chaulked up to an idiot, but banning photography for one instance, that's just stupid. Why don't they try and go after more of these kids in SE who are REALLY endandering bus operator lives by throwing rocks and other crap at buses, instead of some hobbiest taking a photo of a bus.

So much for going on with your lives after 9/11.

I agree with you. This puts a dent in those people who take photographs as a hobby, including myself. I do not trespass into restricted areas. I follow all rules and make sure I am not interfering with operations. I know plenty of Metrobus operators and a few supervisors and they know I do this as a hobby. I would also like to know of the incident as well. Also, there are other things to worry about than photography. Like WES said, the kids in SE endangering the lives of Metrobus operators who are doing their job as well as trying to operate a vehicle safely with different hazards albeit other drivers, unruly passengers, etc. This post 9/11 world has turned what we hold dear against as to a point where our lives are controlled by rules and laws that prohibit us from living our lives freely. A photo ban in the DC area won't survive as there are alot of enthusiasts as well as tourists who take pictures of buses and trains. If it didn't work in NYC or Boston, it probably won't happen here.

AnnexOperator · August 04, 2008, 08:27:16 PM

THE THING IS THIS THE DUMMY THAT TOOK THE PIC WAS ON METRO PROPERTY AND SOMEONE REPORTED IT AND SAID HE/SHE WAS LOOKING STRANGELY SUSPICIOUS. METRO IS PUTTING PLAINED COTH OFFICERS ON TRAINS AND BUSES IN SEPTEMBER. THATS WHY MOST OF US DO NOT LIKE PICKING THE A LINE ITS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT ANACOSTIA/BERRY FARMS/CONGRESS HGHTS AREA. THATS WHY THE STARTER PUT OLD FLEET ON THOSE LINES. THE 6100'S NEW FLYERS COACHES ARE STRICTLY USE ON MARYLAND LINES ONLY
THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED ON ANY A LINE ROUTE IN THE DISTRICT. THEY ARE ONLY USED ON THESE ROUTES
D12,D13,D14,M5 (ONLY2),W13,14,17,18,19,P17,18,19 39 LIMITED STARTING FROM NAYLOR ONLY AM TRIPPERS. SO THEY ARE VERY STRICT.

79MetroExtraMD · August 04, 2008, 08:28:50 PM

Can I ask a favor of you AnnexOperator. Can you please refrain from using all caps. It gives an impression of shouting.

Tristan · August 04, 2008, 08:32:14 PM

We've asked this before, doesn't seem to work. I don't even really understand what's going on here, is Metro putting some ban against photography? Good luck...

79MetroExtraMD · August 04, 2008, 08:33:24 PM

What happened to installing operator shields? Did they just skip on that and now focusing on this?

WES · August 04, 2008, 08:37:30 PM

Well, most of us don't take pics inside of metrobus divisions, me personally don't need to. I know my limitations and as I have stated elsewhere, I can take pics elsewhere instead of going into a garage or at the Pentagon to take a bus pic. If I don't feel comfortable taking pics, I won't and believe me I have taken thousands of pics. My guess is this person went inside of Bladensburg to take pics of the new NABIs that came in. I mean I don't care if I am the first one to take a pic of a bus, if the opportune time comes and I happen to see one rolling down the street, heck yea I will try to get a pic, but WILL not go into a garage to do it.

79MetroExtraMD · August 04, 2008, 08:42:12 PM

Quote from: WES on August 04, 2008, 08:37:30 PM
Well, most of us don't take pics inside of metrobus divisions, me personally don't need to. I know my limitations and as I have stated elsewhere, I can take pics elsewhere instead of going into a garage or at the Pentagon to take a bus pic. If I don't feel comfortable taking pics, I won't and believe me I have taken thousands of pics. My guess is this person went inside of Bladensburg to take pics of the new NABIs that came in. I mean I don't care if I am the first one to take a pic of a bus, if the opportune time comes and I happen to see one rolling down the street, heck yea I will try to get a pic, but WILL not go into a garage to do it.

I'll wait till things are in service to take pics of them. I've been in Montgomery garage and Landover garage before but didn't need to take pics because it wasn't of myself to do so. Most likely a particular bus will be put out for service. When the 5400s come out in service, that's when I'll take pics of them.

rideonrulez · August 04, 2008, 09:24:35 PM

WMATA trying to ban picture taking? SSSHHHEEEIIITTTTT That's what we have public streets for

I guess the "We Meet And Talk Alot" still stands.

79MetroExtraMD · August 04, 2008, 09:26:37 PM

Quote from: rideonrulez on August 04, 2008, 09:24:35 PM
WMATA trying to ban picture taking? SSSHHHEEEIIITTTTT That's what we have public streets for
I guess the "We Meet And Talk Alot" still stands.

Lol. I never would have thought about that one.

WMATAGMOAGH · August 04, 2008, 09:36:21 PM

From a legal standpoint, WMATA cannot ban photographing its buses or trains from public property, such won't stand in a court of law based on what happened in New Jersey. From a practical standpoint, WMATA cannot ban "tourist" photography on the subway. There are too many tourists who want to take snapshot photos of the stations or trains. I don't think any of the people on this board loiter around any single station long enough to attract police attention, anyway. I honestly don't think we have anything to worry about.

From reading AnnexOperator's posts, I think this might be the situation: Some person who isn't authorized to be in the bus yards is going around and getting photos, or there is an employee impersonator on the loose. It is too bad such people make our hobby difficult. Having met a number of the people who post here, I highly doubt those of us here are going to end up with problems as a result of this unless we start wandering into unauthorized areas.

In short, I'm not worried. Hopefully, whoever is causing this trouble is found or just stops doing it.

WayneNYC · August 04, 2008, 10:32:30 PM

I would agree that someone probably went too far in an attempt to get pics and/or just checking out what was in a particular yard. As much as I like to get pics, the one rule I won't break is trespassing. I've gotten many pics at Bladensburg and CET, but all were taken from a public sidewalk/street. I've always been one to try to get my pics without distracting or even getting the B/O's attention. This is why I tend to shoot from a distance and zoom in. I also rarely take pics in bus bays at Metrorail stations. I'm perfectly fine with shooting from the streets.

coneyraven · August 04, 2008, 11:17:21 PM

I can remember several years ago on a subtalk field trip when I was approached about picture taking out at Addison Road --- Nothing came of it, he said that still photos were fine, just no video...

Perry · August 04, 2008, 11:26:35 PM

I remember that trip! That's when I was holding stanind in the door of the rear car. That was pretty ridiculous. This whole photo ban thing is crazy. Plainclothes should be out looking for thieves not some shlub taking a picture of a train or a bus.

News:

WMATA mulls photo ban...