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MTA Considers Closing Subway Stations If They Get Too Crowded

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The Metropolitan Transportation Authority thinks there could come a day where New York, like London, has to shut down big subway stations like Grand Central because they're just too packed with people.

The subway station beneath the 100-year-old terminal is already jammed.

"I don't think it's acceptable to any commuter today," Community Board 5 district manager Wally Rubin told WCBS 880 reporter Alex Silverman.

MTA Considers Closing Subway Stations If They Get Too Crowded

He is wary of a plan to re-zone the area for taller buildings and the addition Long Island Rail Road trains in a few years.

"The Grand Central area is at a tipping point right now. It's a dangerous situation," he said.

The MTA is aware and it told Rubin's board it might have to close clogged entryways and platforms at certain points of the day.

"And they gave an example that this has happened in London and they said that this indeed could have to happen here at some point in the future," Rubin said.

That is unless the MTA gets the money soon for upgrades which it thinks will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 million.

"We need to do this now because it's a danger now," he said.

What do you think of the idea? Sound off below.

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