Passenger Trains > Judge tosses out transit ID checks

From 3/24 Boston Globe: "NY- A federal judge has invalidated a New York City transit system rule that allowed police officers to demand identification documents from anyone riding the subway. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by two vintage train aficionados who were stopped by the police while taking photographs at a station in Queens. Both men had been cited for "unauthorized photography." That citation was later dismissed. (AP)"

When was the last time we railfans have been referred to as "vintage train aficionados?"

Frank30

They were photographing a historic subway train that was running.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3028108

Frank30 Wrote:
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>
> When was the last time we railfans have been
> referred to as "vintage train aficionados?"
>
> Frank30

Beats the hell put of "foamers."

aehouse Wrote:
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> Frank30 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > When was the last time we railfans have been
> > referred to as "vintage train aficionados?"
> >
> > Frank30
>
> Beats the hell put of "foamers."

or Gricers!!!!

Maybe they were referring to the age of the fans rather than the age of the trains? I kind of like the ring of it, I'm not old, I'm vintage! :^)

In the Los Angeles area police could demand ID for anyone not able to produce a ticket on the open access, proof of payment rail lines.
When Civil Rights attorneys took this to court, the judge ruled that "The price of freedom from search is $1.35, all your clients had to do to eliminate the cause of the officer's search was to buy a ticket." I think this is commonsense law, is this still the case?

railstiesballast Wrote:
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> In the Los Angeles area police could demand ID for
> anyone not able to produce a ticket on the open
> access, proof of payment rail lines.
> When Civil Rights attorneys took this to court,
> the judge ruled that "The price of freedom from
> search is $1.35, all your clients had to do to
> eliminate the cause of the officer's search was to
> buy a ticket." I think this is commonsense law,
> is this still the case?

The demand for ID is almost certainly a result of the absence of a ticket. In most cases, absence of a ticket in a proof of purchase zone is probable cause for an officer's inquiry. That allows the officer to write a ticket / summons and then turn the violator loose if there are no wants and warrants outstanding.

If the person doesn't have ID, the officer may end up writing a ticket to Donald Duck, etc. In NY, not having ID will get you cuffed and brought to the precinct for fingerprints / positive ID and warrants check.

Thanks, and to complete the logic check, if there is no violation of the proof of payment (or other law) then there is indeed no justification to demand ID?

railstiesballast Wrote:
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> Thanks, and to complete the logic check, if there
> is no violation of the proof of payment (or other
> law) then there is indeed no justification to
> demand ID?

That's generally correct.

The proof of purchase zone usually has signs stating a validated ticket is required to enter this area, step over this line etc. The ticket must be shown on request, or a penalty will be imposed.