Cash-strapped MTA spent $250M on emergency subway intercom system that's overrun with pranksters

The MTA’s $252.7 million ‘Help Point’ system, completed in 2018, has significantly mismanaged funds, as over half the calls are pranks, raising serious concerns about public funds.

Critics point out the NYC Transit’s failure to realize the extent of misuse leading to nearly 1,200 unanswered emergency calls, demonstrating alarming oversight issues.

Inspector General Daniel Cort emphasizes the necessity for immediate improvements to the Help Point system, stating that effective emergency responses are crucial for public safety.

The audit revealed that only 28% of calls via Help Point were legitimate emergencies, with a staggering 50% classified as mischievous, causing financial and operational concerns for the MTA.

Read at New York Post