S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1483
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 11, 2021
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Introduced by M. of A. PERRY, WALKER, COLTON, RODRIGUEZ, DE LA ROSA,
RICHARDSON, PHEFFER AMATO, PICHARDO, CRUZ, DICKENS, SAYEGH, GRIFFIN,
REYES, EPSTEIN, NIOU, BARRON, GLICK -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
ABINANTI, COOK, FRONTUS, GALEF, SIMON -- 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 ASSEM-
BLY, 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 engi-
neer, 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 respon-
ders, and the front line defense to potentially save lives and limit
casualties in the event of a terrorist attack.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04878-01-1
A. 1483 2
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section
1205-b to read as follows:
§ 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.