Photo Rules

By city/metro area/agency
Please Send me updates for these and other cities
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Photoshop by Don Huber, Long Island

New York City Metro Area

 

MTA

The official TA and MTA policy ALLOWS photography in public places.
During 2004 and 2005 the policy was in jeopardy, but sane heads prevailed.

Here is a link to letters to and from the MTA pertaining to the photo policies on the LIRR and MNCR. It's in PDF format This one also from the LIRR History web site includes an internal memo from the MTA Chief of Police.
The following rules pages have NO statements one way or another about photography: Metro-North - LIRR.
The SIRT permits phtography - section 1040.4e3f.

New York Post Article telling NYPD officers "Photography and the videotaping of public places, buildings and structures are common activities within New York City . . . and is rarely unlawful"
AND
The department directive -- titled "Investigation of Individuals Engaged in Suspicious Photography and Video Surveillance" -- makes it clear that cops cannot "demand to view photographs taken by a person . . . or direct them to delete or destroy images" in a camera.

NJT

As of 12/30/2005 NJT no longer requires a permit for photography.
Michael Finfer received a letter from NJT saying that the permit and call in requirement for non-commercial photography has been cancelled.
Jan 14, 2006 article from the Asbury Park Press.
Some interesting things about the permit policy

PATH

 The PATH photo policy is ridiculous (from the link, search for the text 'photo').
You must apply for a permit at the office of the Permit Administrator between 9:00AM and 10:30AM or 1:30PM - 3:30PM. But they don't say where the administrator is located. Then it requires the photographer to get an escort from PATH. Even with an permit, an escort is required. The escort may veto any photo sites for security reasons.
Don't look at this photo.

AMTRAK

 There was a case late in 2008 where a railfan was arrested for taking photographs in Penn Station NY. I came across this document that tells the NPPA that it's OK to take photos on AMTRAK.

Legal Opinions

NPPA

 The National Press Photographers Association has information and a legal opinion about taking photograhs in public places. Although this is geared to members of the press, it does stress the public's right to take photos in public places.

Civil Liberties Union

 The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts has threatened to sue the MBTA over its unwritten policy limiting photographs on T property, saying the practice is a violation of the First Amendment and state constitution.
Several amateur photographers said they had recently been prohibited from taking photographs of the T from public property or while lawfully traveling on the system.
MBTA officials acknowledge that the T has no written policy on photography on the T system.

Bert P. Krages II Attorney at Law

 The Photographers' Right Your Rights and Remedies When Stopped or Confronted for Photography. Updated to November 2006.

Bruce Schneier's BLOG

Interesting observations about photography and terrorism

Colbert Nation

 Comedy Central:
Nailed 'Em - Amtrak Photographer Amtrak police arrest a man because he's taking pictures for their photography contest.

AMTRAK

AMTRAK & NPPA

 AMTRAK, together with the NPPA worked out guidelines for police and employees for ealing with photgraphers.
Key statements are:
It is the policy of Amtrak that the taking of photographs and/or videos is permitted within public access areas on Amtrak property.
and
Under no circumstances will officers delete, destroy or alter photographs/videos; nor shall they request that photographs/video be deleted, destroyed or altered.

Washington Union Station

Bruce Schneier's BLOG on Washington Union Station:
Security stupidity Because of "security concerns", tourists and amateur photographers visiting the Amtrak Union Station in Washington DC are told they can't take pictures. A local TV news team went to investigate this story. The best part of their video was when a security guard came up to the camera crew and told them there was no photography allowed, right as the chief Amtrak spokesman was telling the reporter that there was no ban whatsoever on photography.

Mainline Railroads

BNSF

The BNSF is recruiting railfans to help keep BNSF properties safe by reporting suspicious activities and to help prevent possible security breaches. Here is the registration form: BNSF. Looks like a way to track railfans.
Here is the full online article.

I can hear it now:

Railfan: 'Hello BNSF, this is a railfan.'
BNSF: 'Hello RF, what's up?'
RF: 'There's a person here in Montana taking pictures.'
BNSF: 'Can you describe the person?'
RF:' Wait, let me get a mirror.'
BNSF: 'A mirror?'
RF: ' So I can tell you what I look like!'

Union Pacific - Chicago

 From Trains.com August 16, 2006 CHICAGO -

Union Pacific Railroad has announced that with the recent increase in security concerns across the United States, it will no longer allow photography of trains from Metra station platforms in the Chicago area. Metra is the region's commuter-train agency.
"We recognize that railroad fans can be our eyes and ears out there," said UP spokesman Mark Davis. "But we live in different times. The number one concern for Union Pacific is the safety of everyone. Right now, and since 9/11, security has been heightened and increased. This is part of that effort." Davis added that, "This stuff about UP not liking railfans is not true. But we have to be as safe and secure as we can."
Metra was pulled into the photography-rights controversy last year when two railroad fans were detained by Morton Grove, Ill., municipal police and Metra police while photographing trains from the public train-boarding platforms at town's Metra station. That route, the Milwaukee District North Line, is owned by Metra. Union Pacific owns the property on its three commuter routes, and UP employees operate the trains under contract to Metra.
After the glare of publicity enveloped the Motron Grove incident, Metra recanted its position and publicly reversed its stance, saying it would allow photography of trains from its stations.
Metra spokesman Tom Miller today told Trains News Wire that as long as people are in areas accessible to the public, are acting in a safe manner, and are willing to provide identification if asked by authorities, that Metra has no problem with them taking photos. "But as far as the UP policy, we have no comment on that," Miller said.
More in the October issue of TRAINS Magazine.

TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Please Send me updates for these and other cities
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Atlanta-Baltimore-BART-Boston-Chicago-Philadelphia-Washington

Atlanta

MARTA

Atlanata - MARTA
Requires a writen photo permit (somewhat like the old NJT rules). However:
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), its employees or agents, cannot be negatively portrayed in any photograph or filming. Public transit cannot be depicted as an unsafe or dangerous environment. - So how do you report a problem to them?
And to top it off: MARTA says: Photographs of the MARTA system are not allowed to be posted on the Internet. What's next no magazines or newspapers?

Baltimore

MTA

 Suspicious activity by people in the system is based solely on where they are and what they are doing. Suspicious activity includes:
• someone loitering, staring at or watching employees and customers;
• those that appear nervous or jumpy, are sweating, pacing or dressed in bulky clothes or clothes inappropriate for the season;
• those that are taking photographs of equipment or infrastructure;...
Are they Kidding? I guess not.

It may not be as bad now (2009), an internet friend did some photography in Baltimore recently and said that no one bothered him and he took some photos right in front of some train crews. But the above borchure is currnet.

BART

BART

 Commercial photography requires a permit ($250 plus expenses),
WHEN A PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED:
If you are a paying passenger making your way from point A to point B, then there is no specific prohibition to taking photographs in areas that are accessible to the public provided you do not appear to be a security threat (don't look like a foamer?), involved in a commercial activity (no high paid, beautiful models?)or harassing other riders (don't ask people to get out of the picture?).
BART Photo Permits

Boston

MBTA

Boston - MBTA
EFFECTIVE JULY 2007 Please, be advise that photo permits are not required to take personal photos at stations or on T properties .
However, any person taking pictures must provide proper identification upon request of an MBTA Transit Police Officer or other MBTA employee.
The photo policy is posted on the web.

Chicago

CTA

 CTA Photography Policy:
The general public is allowed to take snapshots in public areas. Equipment such as lighting, tripods, cables, etc. is not allowed - except in instances where commercial and professional photographers enter into contractual agreements with CTA. Photographers are not allowed to enter or photograph non-public areas of CTA stations. Photographers are prohibited from obstructing transit operations, interfering with customers and blocking doors or stairs. CTA personnel may evaluate the actions of photographers on a case by case basis to determine if a photographer is in compliance with guidelines. If a determination is made that the photographer is not in compliance, CTA personnel may ask them to stop.

Philadelphia

SEPTA

 From an e-mail in response to my inquiry:
Contact :
Sylvana Hoyos
SEPTA Media Relations
1234 Market Street,
10th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107
0ffice 215.580.8367 - Fax 215.580.7534
You should include dates and locations in the e-mail and they also want a photo ID. I attached a copy of my NJT photo permit from a few years back.
However, they won't return the waiver by e-mail or snail mail (even if you send a self addressed stamped envelope).
They'll fax it to you or you have to pick it up in person.
Let's inundate them with requests and visits.
Oh, and you can't take photos of the insides of trains!
According to the waiver, photos of YOU taken under the waiver belong to SEPTA! and can be used by them. It says nothing about the photos you take.

In April 2009, SEPTA has implemented a new $10, Independence Pass all day fare card for unlimited rides aon all lines, including the commuter rail.

Washington, DC

WMATA

 From their auto-response to an e-mail request:
Metro would like to remind you that customers play an important role in keeping our system safe. Please remember to be watchful for . . .
*Unusual persons or activities
*Unattended bags, packages, boxes, backpacks, etc.
*Persons photographing, sketching or documenting activity at or around Metro stations...

However, Section 100.8 Filming and Photography says:
(2) Still photography that does not require a tripod, special lighting, film crews, models, impair the normal ingress/egress or operation of Authority services and can be accomplished by a hand held camera by one person is not regulated.

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Saturday June 20, 2009
Copyright © 2009 by Joseph D. Korman