Creates the New York city transit authority safety advisory panel to study and report on safety from terrorist acts

4 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Tony Avella
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• David Storobin

BILL NUMBER:S4528

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to creating a New York city transit authority safety advisory panel to study and report on safety from terrorist acts and to provide for a moratorium on the closing of token booths and minimum staffing levels on trains operated in passenger service in the New York city transit system

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would enhance the security and, safety of subway passengers by creating a transit authority safety adv~sory panel to study, report on and make recommendations regarding safety from terrorist acts and to provide for a moratorium on the closing of token hooths and minimum staffing levels on trains operated in passenger service in the New York City transit system

Summary of specific provisions

Section one of the bill establishes the "Transit Authority Passenger Security and Safety Act" and amends the public authorities law by adding a new section 1204-d to require minimum staffing on trains operated in passenger service. This section. outlines the conditions upon which the authority shall ensure that at least one train operator and one conductor shall be deployed on trains in passenger service.

Section two amends the public authorities law by, adding a new section 1205-b; The York city transit authority safety advisory panel and Moratorium on the Closing of token booths. This section outlines the creation of an advisory panel to study, monitor and make recommendations with respect to the public safety from terrorist threats and criminal mischief in passenger stations of the New York city transit authority, its subsidiaries and the Staten Island rapid transit operating authority and requires a moratorium on token booth closures until submission of the advisory panel report

Section three of the bill establishes an immediate effective date.

Justification

The threat of terrorist attacks in New York City demands that the New York City Transit Authority make every effort to ensure the security and safety of its passengers. New York City continues to be a primary target for terrorists after the attack in 2001. Security specialist emphasize that the transit system, especially subway trains in tunnels, under bodies of water or on bridges, are a prized target by these enemies to our democracy, who seek to generate maximum media exposure and inflict heavy casualties on innocent civilians densely packed into a small space. The presence of trained conductors and operators on such trains can and do act as a deterrent to these enemies of our country, and the presence of station agents in protected booths within the system, can greatly facilitate

evacuations and reaction time from first responders in the event of life threatening emergencies underground.

Accordingly, existing staffing levels should be maintained at least at current levels, until a comprehensive assessment and evaluation is completed by security experts that will assess the systemic security needs of the mass transit system in NYC in the event of foreseeable emergencies. To do less not only endangers the safety and lives of passengers using mass transit facilities, but encourages our enemies to exploit a perceived "weak link" in our security defenses.

Prior legislative history

2008: A.8355

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediate.