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

5 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Tony Avella
• Adriano Espaillat
• Brad Hoylman-Sigal
• Jeffrey D. Klein

BILL NUMBER:S4654A

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

This bill would enhance the security and safety of subway passengers by creating a transit authority safety advisory panel to study, report on and make recommendations regarding safety from terror- ist 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.

Summary of provisions

Section one of the bill establishes the "Transit Authority Passenger Security and Safety Act."

Section two of the bill amends the Public Authorities Law by adding a new section 1205-f requiring 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 conduc- tor shall be deployed on trains in passenger service.

Section three of the bill amends the Public Authorities Law by adding a new section 1204-f, which creates the New York City Transit Authority Safety Advisory Panel (the "Advisory Panel"). The Advisory Panel is required to undertake a study evaluating various strategies available to ensure public safety in passenger stations of the New York City Transit Authority, its subsidiaries and the Staten Island rapid transit operat- ing authority and to make recommendations. The examination of public safety includes areas of ingress and egress at passenger stations, as well as terrorist threats and criminal mischief at such stations. Final- ly, this section places a moratorium on token booth closures at passen- ger stations until submission of the Advisory Panel report.

Section four of the bill provides that this act shall take effect imme- diately.

Existing law

New law

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 expo- sure 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 coun- try, 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

2013: 4654: - Referred to Transportation 2011-2012: S.4528 - Referred to Transportation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.