Res No. 1433
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign into law, A.0641 and S.4528, 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 a moratorium on the closing of token booths and minimum staffing levels on trains operated for passenger service in the New York City transit system.
By Council Members Jackson, Chin, Dickens, James, Lander, Mendez, Palma, Rose, Williams and Ulrich
Whereas, The need to access and review the safety of our public transportation systems was apparent after several overseas terrorist attacks, including the attack on Madrid's commuter train system on March 11, 2004, attacks on London's mass transportation system in July 2005, and the attacks at two of Moscow's subway stations on March 29, 2010; and
Whereas, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA") which operates New York City's subway system, one of the largest and oldest in the world, is responsible for upgrading the subway system's infrastructure in order to minimize its vulnerability to attack; and
Whereas, Since the September 11th attacks, the MTA has taken several measures to better protect the subway system from attack, including installing an electronic security system, installing perimeter protection at MTA facilities and improving the ability of its facilities to withstand the impact of an explosive device; and
Whereas, The MTA also partners with the New York City Police Department ("NYPD") to allow NYPD officers to regularly patrol the system and serve as an important physical security presence; and
Whereas, For the past ten years, due to the increasing number of Metrocard sales taking place at kiosks, the MTA has been reorienting the role of station agents, from selling tokens to providing customer service; and
Whereas, Nevertheless, in September of 2009, the MTA removed 300 agents from their posts and removed an additional 478 station agents in May of 2010 because of budget cuts; and
Whereas, These reductions have heightened the need for a physical presence at MTA subway stations, primarily due to the assistance that station agents can provide the public and first responders during emergencies underground; and
Whereas, To bolster the issue of MTA's preparedness for and ability to address a terrorist attack, A.0641 and S.4528 were introduced to amend the Public Authorities Law, in relation to creating a New York City Transit Authority safety advisory panel; and
Whereas, This safety advisory panel would study and report on MTA New York City Transit's ("NYCT") efforts to protect the subway system from terrorist attacks, and would make recommendations to decrease the risk that the public could face potential terrorist threats and criminal mischief in the subway system; and
Whereas, A.0641 and S.4528 also would impose a moratorium on the closing of token booths and set minimum staffing levels on trains operated for passenger service by NYCT until the safety advisory panel releases its findings; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign into law, A.0641 and S.4528, 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 a moratorium on the closing of token booths and minimum staffing levels on trains operated for passenger service in the New York City transit system.
NL
LS# 3416
June 18, 2012