New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed legislation that would have required all New York City subway trains to have two staff members, including both a conductor and a driver. According to the Gothamist, the veto contrasts with the position of the Transit Workers Union, which has advocated for the two-person crew policy based on safety considerations. The proposed regulation would have extended beyond the existing requirements outlined in the MTA’s contract with the union.
Passing the mandate would have increased operational costs for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) by up to $10 million annually. Opponents of the measure argued that this could affect service quality and limit technological developments in transit. Governor Hochul stated that trains can operate safely with a single driver and cited the potential financial impact of requiring two-person crews. A study by NYU’s Marron Institute of Urban Management found that fewer than 6.25% of surveyed subway and commuter rail lines across 36 cities use two-person crews, which supported Hochul’s position.
NY1 reported that several organizations, including the Citizens Budget Commission and the Regional Plan Association, supported Governor Hochul’s decision. They highlighted that one-person train operation (OPTO) is a common practice internationally and can provide comparable service at lower costs. In a joint statement, the organizations said the legislation could have increased MTA operating costs and limited the agency’s ability to implement modern methods, adopt new technologies, and improve service for riders…