What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to evaluate hazards under elevated tracks and review its commuter notification system, reporting findings within a year.
Why it matters
Addresses safety risks from structures and storage under elevated tracks. By requiring the MTA to identify which areas or items beneath elevated tracks could pose hazards, the bill targets the prevention of accidents that could impact infrastructure and public safety, especially in densely populated, high-traffic neighborhoods.
Scrutinizes commuter alert systems for emergencies and service changes. The mandated evaluation of the MTA’s notification system aims to ensure that commuters receive timely and effective warnings about hazards, emergencies, or disruptions, potentially reducing confusion and risk during incidents.
Requires transparency and accountability through formal reporting. By obligating the MTA to report findings and recommendations to state leadership within a year, the bill seeks to hold the authority publicly accountable for addressing risks and improving communication, which could lead to tangible safety upgrades or new protocols.
Ensures MTA bears financial responsibility. The requirement that the MTA fund any costs associated with the evaluation and reporting may encourage cost-effective solutions and prevents the shifting of expenses to taxpayers or fare increases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Hazards Under Train Tracks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Vetoed memo.234
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.555
- Substituted for A7835A
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1241
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 2785a
Show 2 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Study Train Track Hazards
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Robert C. Carroll
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2785--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to direct the metropolitan transportation authority to examine, assess and report on potential hazardous structures and storage areas under the elevated train tracks; and the commuter notification system of such authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The metropolitan transportation authority is hereby directed to examine, evaluate and make recommendations relating to:
(a) designating and determining those structures and storage areas under the elevated train tracks of such authority, which may pose a hazard to the facilities, infrastructure and commuters of the metropolitan transportation authority; and
(b) the use and effectiveness of the commuter notification system, operated by the authority, in providing timely notifications to commuters of hazards, emergencies and changes in the provision of transportation and service.
§ 2. The metropolitan transportation authority shall, within 1 year of the effective date of this act, submit to the governor and the legislature, a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations. Any information that may be deemed classified may be omitted from the final, published report at the discretion of the chair of the metropolitan transportation authority.
§ 3. All costs of implementing the provisions of this act shall be borne by the metropolitan transportation authority.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05643-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the metropolitan transportation authority to examine, assess and report on potential hazardous struc- tures and storage areas under the elevated train tracks; and the commu- ter notification system of such authority
Purpose
Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to study and report on potentially hazardous structures and storage areas under elevated train tracks, and on the efficacy of the commuter notification system.
Summary of provisions
Section one subdivision (a) requires the metropolitan transportation authority (MTA) to examine, evaluate and make recommendations relating to designating and determining those structures and storage areas under the elevated train tracks of such authority, which may pose a hazard to the facilities, infrastructure and commuters of the metropolitan trans- portation authority. Subdivision (b) of section one requires the MTA to examine, evaluate and make recommendations on use and effectiveness of the commuter notification system, operated by the authority, in provid- ing timely notifications to commuters of hazards, emergencies and chang- es in the provision of transportation services.
Section two requires the MTA to submit, within 1 year of the effective date, to the governor and the legislature a repost on its findings, conclusions and recommendations. Classified information may be omitted from the final, published report at the discretion of the MTA Chair.
Section three establishes that all costs of implementing the provisions of this act shall be borne by the MTA.
Section four establishes the effective date.
Justification
Recently, Metro-North Railroad service in and out of Grand Central Station along the Harlem and Hudson lines was shut down due to a fire which began at a garden-supply business located underneath the tracks. This massive blaze caused substantial and burdensome delays for tens of thousands of commuters, as well as caused severe damage to some of the Metro-North track girders. In the days following the fire, it was discovered that the blaze originated when an employee tried to refuel a hot generator, a substantially dangerous fire hazard. In addition to utilizing flammable materials under the track, the business was also storing firewood, soil and fertilizer products. Fire safety experts stated that it is unconscionable that the MTA was unaware of such hazardous conditions existing underneath the tracks.
This legislation seeks to address these safety hazards by requiring the MTA to study and make recommendations regarding the structures and stor- age areas under elevated train tracks which may pose a hazard to the facilities, infrastructure and commuters of the MTA. Additionally, the bill would require the MTA to study and make recommendations on the efficacy of the commuter notification system used by the authority.
Requiring this study will allow the MTA to discover potentially hazard- ous conditions, and thereby help prevent future catastrophes.
Legislative history
S303 MURPHY No Same as
Fiscal implications
None noted.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.