What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to assess and report on hazards under elevated train tracks and the effectiveness of its commuter notification system.
Why it matters
Safety and Accountability. By requiring the MTA to identify and evaluate potentially hazardous structures and storage areas beneath elevated tracks, the bill aims to preempt accidents (such as fires or falling debris) and improve overall commuter and infrastructure safety.
Transparency and Responsiveness. Mandating a report to the governor and legislature increases public transparency and puts pressure on the MTA to address and communicate about safety concerns, potentially fostering quicker improvements and accountability.
Emergency Communication Improvements. By examining the effectiveness of the commuter notification system, the bill addresses not just physical hazards but also how well the MTA informs riders about emergencies, hazards, and service changes—an essential factor in rider trust and safety during incidents.
Resource Allocation. Since the MTA must cover the cost of implementing these requirements, the bill could influence how the agency prioritizes its budget and operational resources, possibly affecting other projects or services.
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Who cares
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The MTA would conduct and pay for a review of potentially hazardous structures and storage areas beneath its elevated tracks and the effectiveness of its commuter notification system.
MTA commuters
The study would assess hazards to riders and whether notifications about hazards, emergencies and service changes reach them in a timely manner.
Governor and state legislators
They would receive the MTA’s findings, conclusions and recommendations within one year of the bill’s effective date.
MTA chair
The chair could omit information deemed classified from the final published report.
Headline styles
Inspect Hazards Under Train Tracks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7829
IN SENATE
February 25, 2020
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
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.
LBD05643-04-0
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 structures and storage areas under the elevated train tracks; and the commuter 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
S.2785-A/A.7835-A of 2019-Vetoed.
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.