BILL NUMBER: S1708

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring a
safety briefing of Metro-North commuter railroad passengers to be
conducted at certain times

 
PURPOSE:

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to provide safety
briefings to passengers aboard Metro-North trains, and instruct person-
nel in safety procedures

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends the public authorities law by adding a
new section 1279-e, which directs the authority to implement a safety
briefing to passengers no later than January 1, 2019 for persons utiliz-
ing transportation and other related services of the Metro-North commu-
ter railroad.
              

Such program shall include, but not be limited to: before initial depar-
ture of each train, and periodically thereafter, at the discretion of
the authority at stations where the greatest number of passengers board
the train, the conductor, or the conductor's designee, shall immediately
communicate live and/or by recorded, visual and/or audio images: evacu-
ation procedures; location and means for opening the passenger entry
doors and emergency exits; location of first aid and survival equipment
and location and operation of fire extinguishers. Additionally, in the
event of a disaster or emergency, the conductor, or the conductor's
designee shall communicate the safety briefing message as often as
necessary to ensure passenger safety.

The briefings may be delivered by an approved recording playback devise.
The plan shall also provide for the training of conductors, trainmen and
other designated employees in emergency techniques and procedures,
interoperable communications, and knowledge of procedures and equipment
used during evacuations.

Section two states the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

On February 3, 2015, during the evening rush hour, the northbound
Metro-North Railroad passenger train no. 659 impacted with a sports
utility vehicle which had stopped on the tracks at the Commerce Street
highway rail grade crossing. This tragic accident resulted in the deaths
of five passengers seated in the lead passenger railcar and the driver
of the sports utility vehicle. Although the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating this horrific accident,
many passengers reported much confusion and difficulty in evacuating the
damaged train.

In March of 2014, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a
report to Congress evaluating the safety measures of the Metro-North
system. In the report, the FRA strongly urged the senior leadership of
Metro-North to prioritize safety, and implement a plan to improve safety
standards and procedures. Unlike the Metropolitan Transit Authority's
(MTA) notification announcements on the New York City subway system,
Metro-North does not provide routine briefings to passengers regarding
proper evacuation and safety procedures. This lack of instruction
resulted in much confusion to the roughly 650 passengers on the train at
the time of the Valhalla crash. Therefore, it would be in the interest
of public safety to require Metro-North Railroad Safety Committee to
utilize and disseminate similar information as is provided on the City's
subway system.

In emergency situations, passengers cannot be reasonably expected to
know the exact location of fire extinguishers, emergency exits and other
pertinent information without repetition. By requiring this information
be disseminated upon the initial departure of each train, as well as at
stations where the greatest number of passengers board the train, over-
time, New York's commuters will become better aware of proper emergency
procedures, which will save the lives of future passengers should anoth-
er tragedy occur.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2022: S3482

2017-18: S.292

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.