BILL NUMBER: S5835

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
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 storage areas under
elevated train tracks which may pose a hazard to the facilities, infras-
tructure and commuters of the MTA.


Additionally, the bill would require the MTA to study and make recommen-
dations on the efficacy of the commuter notification system used by the
authority.  Requiring this study will allow the MTA to discover poten-
tially hazardous conditions, and thereby help prevent future catastro-
phes.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

S303 MURPHY No Same as

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None noted.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.