What's happening
This bill requires the New York City Transit Authority to have at least one conductor on board any subway or train with more than two cars.
Why it matters
Increases Onboard Safety and Emergency Response. By mandating at least one conductor on trains longer than two cars, the bill aims to ensure there is always a trained staff member (other than the train operator) available to assist with emergencies, manage evacuations, and respond to safety incidents while the train is in tunnels, over bridges, or during other critical situations.
Addresses Terrorism and Security Concerns. The legislation is partly justified by referencing the heightened risk of terrorism since 9/11 and specific plots against the subway system, underlining the role of conductors as first responders who can act quickly in the event of an attack, potentially saving lives and minimizing casualties.
Prioritizes Passenger Assistance and Operational Oversight. The bill emphasizes that conductors are primarily responsible for opening and closing doors and other safety functions, which could reduce the risk of accidents, improve crowd control, and ensure smoother boarding and disembarking processes—especially during peak hours with high passenger volumes.
Impacts Transit Authority Staffing and Operations. Requiring a conductor on all longer trains could lead to increased hiring, changes to staffing models, and additional operational costs for the Transit Authority, potentially affecting fare structures, service levels, or labor negotiations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Conductors on All Trains
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Subway Conductors Onboard
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
916
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY, WALKER, MOSLEY -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE, COLTON, COOK, HOOPER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the New York city transit authority to have at least one conductor on board
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The legislature finds and declares that, the New York city transit authority, through its operation of the New York city subway system, the largest public transit system in the world, provides the primary means of commuting for many millions of New York residents and visitors every day of the week. With an estimated average of over 10,000 passengers loaded onto each train during rush hours, the presence of trained New York city transit authority personnel, other than the engineer, on each train is necessary and should always be required to ensure improved safety for passengers during emergencies, which may occur while in subway tunnels or traveling over bridges.
The legislature further finds and declares that the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which launched the war of terror against America, has tremendously heightened the need to significantly increase security and safety for commuters on New York city subway trains. Also, the recent conviction of Zarein Ahmedzay, who was caught buying explosives and admitted to having planned an attack on the New York city subway system makes it imperative that we recognize the role of conductors and other authority personnel assigned on passenger trains as first responders, and the front line defense to potentially save lives and limit casualties in the event of a terrorist attack.
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1205-b to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06218-01-7
A. 916 2
§ 1205-b. Conductor required. Any subway or train operated by the authority for the purpose of transporting passengers shall have at least one conductor on board. For the purposes of this section, the term "conductor" shall mean the person other than the driver, engineer or motorman primarily charged with all aspects of the operation of the railroad locomotive, subway or train, who shall assist in the operation of the train and be primarily responsible for the opening and closing of the doors and other safety aspects of the train. A conductor shall be required on any subway or train operated by the authority whenever the subway or train has more than two cars attached to the engine thereof.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.