BILL NUMBER: S4317
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
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 oper-
ated 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 advisory panel to study, report on
and make recommendations regarding 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
 
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 to require minimum staffing on trains operated in passen-
ger 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 two amends the public authorities law by adding a new section
relative to the New 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 Mew
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 or 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:
S2768 Comrie/ A9582 Hyndman 2024
S5792 2022
S 6262 COMRIE Same as A 7266 Dickens
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.