Freakonomics Radio 372. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Would You Eat a Piece of Chocolate Shaped Like Dog Poop?”
Mar 28, 2019
Andy Byford, the dynamic President of the New York City Transit Authority, dives into the complex world of the subway system and its historical challenges. He discusses innovative solutions to improve service reliability and the urgent need for funding. The conversation also touches on the intriguing influence of Napoleon on music and politics, the psychology of disgust and its impact on political views, plus the importance of urban transit innovations amidst New York's growing population. It's a compelling blend of transit woes and psychological insights!
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Transit Family
- Andy Byford comes from a transit family, with his grandfather driving a bus during the Blitz.
- He relies on public transit and has never owned a car.
NYC Subway’s State
- The New York City subway system, while having good bones, suffers from decades of underinvestment.
- This has led to degraded infrastructure, impacting service reliability and capacity.
Signal System Issues
- The NYC subway's signal system needs recalibration, causing unnecessary delays.
- A dedicated team is working to identify and correct these wrongly calibrated signals.
