Hochul vetoes bill mandating two-person crews on NYC subways, citing costs

"Supporters of the failed bill, including the transit workers' union, argued that a two-person crew is essential for public safety and operational reliability. Critics of the bill have called two-person crews redundant for subway staffing. Hochul, who vetoed the bill on Dec. 19 after it was largely supported and passed by state lawmakers in June, is up for reelection next year. She said in her veto memo that the legislation would cost as much as $10 million annually, reducing service, and limiting the MTA's"

"John Samuelsen, Transit Workers Union (TWU) International president, told amNewYork that members were hoping to enshrine the bill into law to prevent the MTA from moving to reduce staff in the next collective bargaining agreement. Conductors come under attack with every single contract, he said. They want to reduce headcount. And in this case, they don't really care that reducing headcount would make the system, particularly in New York for a whole lot of reasons, less safe than it is now."

Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that would have mandated two-person crews across NYC subways. Supporters, including the transit workers' union, said two-person crews are essential for safety and operational reliability. Critics called the requirement redundant for subway staffing. The veto memo cited potential costs up to $10 million annually, possible service reductions, and limits on the MTA's ability to benefit from new rolling stock and signal investments. The TWU says two-person crews are already specified in contract negotiations and fears headcount reductions in future bargaining. Some short trains already operate without conductors.

Read at www.amny.com