NY State Senate Bill 2015-S4178B

Senate Bill S4178B

2015-2016 Legislative Session

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to provide safety briefings to passengers aboard Metro-North trains, and train personnel in safety procedures

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 14, 2016	print number 4178b
Jan 14, 2016	amend and recommit to transportation
Jan 06, 2016	referred to transportation
Jun 25, 2015	committed to rules
Jun 15, 2015	amended on third reading (t) 4178a
Jun 08, 2015	advanced to third reading
Jun 03, 2015	2nd report cal.
Jun 02, 2015	1st report cal.1220
Mar 05, 2015	referred to transportation

Votes

- Jun 2, 2015 - Transportation Committee Vote
  S4178B
  
  14
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  5
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Transportation Committee Vote: Jun 2, 2015
      
      aye (14)
      
      Diaz
      
      Gallivan
      
      Kennedy
      
      Larkin
      
      Marcellino
      
      Nozzolio
      
      O'Mara
      
      Panepinto
      
      Perkins
      
      Ritchie
      
      Robach
      
      Stavisky
      
      Valesky
      
      Young
      
      aye wr (5)
      
      Avella
      
      Dilan
      
      Martins
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Squadron

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

2015-S4178 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6331
Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Public Authorities Law
Laws Affected:: Add §1279-d, Pub Auth L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S292, A2888
2019-2020: S3205, A4492
2021-2022: S3482, A4372
2023-2024: S1708, A9976

2015-S4178 - Summary

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to provide safety briefings to passengers aboard Metro-North trains, and train personnel in safety procedures.

2015-S4178 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S4178

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 each departure and every twenty
minutes thereafter

PURPOSE:

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

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends the public authorities law by adding a
new section 1279-d, which directs the authority to implement a safety
briefing to passengers no later than January 1, 2016.

Such plan shall include, but not be limited to:

-Before each departure, and every twenty minutes thereafter, the
conductor shall communicate when, where and under what circumstances
smoking is prohibited; in 0 - Evacuation procedures;
- Location and means for opening the passenger entry doors and
emergency exits;

- Location of survival equipment; and
- Location and operation of fire extinguishers.

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 departure of each train, as well
as every twenty minutes thereafter, over-time, New York's commuters
will become better aware of proper emergency procedures, which will
save the lives of future passengers should another tragedy occur.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.

2015-S4178 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  4178

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              March 5, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  MURPHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation

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 each departure and every twenty minutes thereafter

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public  authorities  law  is amended by adding a new
section 1279-d to read as follows:
  S 1279-D.  SAFETY  BRIEFING  OF  PASSENGERS  PLAN;  IMPLEMENTATION  ON
METRO-NORTH  COMMUTER  RAILROAD.  THE AUTHORITY IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND
DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT A SAFETY BRIEFING OF  PASSENGERS  PLAN  NOT  LATER
THAN  JANUARY  FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND SIXTEEN, FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS
UTILIZING TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES OF  THE  METRO-NORTH
COMMUTER  RAILROAD.  SUCH  PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
PROVISIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
  1. BEFORE EACH DEPARTURE, AND EVERY  TWENTY  MINUTES  THEREAFTER,  THE
CONDUCTOR  OF  EACH  TRAIN  CARRYING  PASSENGERS  SHALL COMMUNICATE LIVE
AND/OR BY RECORDED, VISUAL AND/OR AUDIO IMAGES:
  (A) SMOKING. EACH PASSENGER SHALL BE BRIEFED ON WHEN, WHERE AND  UNDER
WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES SMOKING IS PROHIBITED;
  (B) EVACUATION PROCEDURES;
  (C) LOCATION AND MEANS FOR OPENING THE PASSENGER ENTRY DOORS AND EMER-
GENCY EXITS;
  (D) LOCATION OF SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT; AND
  (E) LOCATION AND OPERATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
  2.  THE  BRIEFINGS  REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION MAY BE
DELIVERED BY MEANS OF AN APPROVED  RECORDING  PLAYBACK  DEVICE  THAT  IS
AUDIBLE TO EACH PASSENGER UNDER NORMAL NOISE LEVELS.
  3. THE TRAINING OF CONDUCTORS, TRAINMEN AND OTHER DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
IN  EMERGENCY  TECHNIQUES  AND PROCEDURES, INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS,
HANDLING AND POSITIONING OF STRICKEN COMMUTERS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF  PROCE-
DURES AND EQUIPMENT USED DURING EVACUATION PROCEDURES.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD09396-01-5

2015-S4178A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6331
Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Public Authorities Law
Laws Affected:: Add §1279-d, Pub Auth L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S292, A2888
2019-2020: S3205, A4492
2021-2022: S3482, A4372
2023-2024: S1708, A9976

2015-S4178A - Summary

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to provide safety briefings to passengers aboard Metro-North trains, and train personnel in safety procedures.

2015-S4178A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 4178--A
    Cal. No. 1220

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              March 5, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  MURPHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported
  favorably from said committee, ordered to  first  and  second  report,
  ordered  to  a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining
  its place in the order of third reading

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

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public  authorities  law  is amended by adding a new
section 1279-d to read as follows:
  S 1279-D.  SAFETY  BRIEFING  OF  PASSENGERS  PLAN;  IMPLEMENTATION  ON
METRO-NORTH  COMMUTER  RAILROAD.  THE AUTHORITY IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND
DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT A SAFETY BRIEFING OF  PASSENGERS  PLAN  NOT  LATER
THAN  JANUARY  FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND SIXTEEN, FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS
UTILIZING TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES OF  THE  METRO-NORTH
COMMUTER  RAILROAD.  SUCH  PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO,
PROVISIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
  1. BEFORE INITIAL DEPARTURE OF EACH  TRAIN  CARRYING  PASSENGERS,  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:
  (A) EVACUATION PROCEDURES;
  (B) LOCATION AND MEANS FOR OPENING THE PASSENGER ENTRY DOORS AND EMER-
GENCY EXITS;
  (C) LOCATION OF FIRST AID AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT;
  (D) LOCATION AND OPERATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD09396-02-5

S. 4178--A                          2

  IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER OR EMERGENCY, THE CONDUCTOR, OR THE CONDUC-
TOR'S DESIGNEE SHALL COMMUNICATE THE SAFETY BRIEFING MESSAGE AS OFTEN AS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY.
  2.  THE  BRIEFINGS  REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION MAY BE
DELIVERED BY MEANS OF AN APPROVED  RECORDING  PLAYBACK  DEVICE  THAT  IS
AUDIBLE TO EACH PASSENGER UNDER NORMAL NOISE LEVELS.
  3. THE TRAINING OF CONDUCTORS, TRAINMEN AND OTHER DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
IN  EMERGENCY  TECHNIQUES  AND PROCEDURES, INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS,
HANDLING AND POSITIONING OF STRICKEN COMMUTERS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF  PROCE-
DURES AND EQUIPMENT USED DURING EVACUATION PROCEDURES.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A6331
Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Public Authorities Law
Laws Affected:: Add §1279-d, Pub Auth L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S292, A2888
2019-2020: S3205, A4492
2021-2022: S3482, A4372
2023-2024: S1708, A9976

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to provide safety briefings to passengers aboard Metro-North trains, and train personnel in safety procedures.

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4178B

 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
personnel in safety procedures

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section one of the bill amends the public authorities law by adding a
new section I279-d, which directs the authority to implement a safety
briefing to passengers no later than January 1, 2017 for persons
utilizing transportation and other related services of the Metro-North
commuter railroad.

Such program shall include, but not be limited to: before initial
departure 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: evacuation 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 another tragedy occur.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 4178--B
    Cal. No. 1220

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              March 5, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  MURPHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported
  favorably from said committee, ordered to  first  and  second  report,
  ordered  to  a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining
  its place in the order of third reading -- recommitted to the  Commit-
  tee  on  Transportation  in  accordance  with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 --
  committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as  amended  and
  recommitted to said committee

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

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The public authorities law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
section 1279-d to read as follows:
  S  1279-D.  SAFETY  BRIEFING  OF  PASSENGERS  PLAN;  IMPLEMENTATION ON
METRO-NORTH COMMUTER RAILROAD. THE AUTHORITY IS  HEREBY  AUTHORIZED  AND
DIRECTED  TO  IMPLEMENT  A  SAFETY BRIEFING OF PASSENGERS PLAN NOT LATER
THAN JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN, FOR THE BENEFIT  OF  PERSONS
UTILIZING  TRANSPORTATION  AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES OF THE METRO-NORTH
COMMUTER RAILROAD. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO,
PROVISIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
  1.  BEFORE  INITIAL  DEPARTURE  OF EACH TRAIN CARRYING PASSENGERS, 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:
  (A) EVACUATION PROCEDURES;
  (B) LOCATION AND MEANS FOR OPENING THE PASSENGER ENTRY DOORS AND EMER-
GENCY EXITS;
  (C) LOCATION OF FIRST AID AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                           LBD09396-04-6

S. 4178--B                          2

  (D) LOCATION AND OPERATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
  IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER OR EMERGENCY, THE CONDUCTOR, OR THE CONDUC-
TOR'S DESIGNEE SHALL COMMUNICATE THE SAFETY BRIEFING MESSAGE AS OFTEN AS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY.
  2.  THE  BRIEFINGS  REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION MAY BE
DELIVERED BY MEANS OF AN APPROVED  RECORDING  PLAYBACK  DEVICE  THAT  IS
AUDIBLE TO EACH PASSENGER UNDER NORMAL NOISE LEVELS.
  3. THE TRAINING OF CONDUCTORS, TRAINMEN AND OTHER DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
IN  EMERGENCY  TECHNIQUES  AND PROCEDURES, INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS,
HANDLING AND POSITIONING OF STRICKEN COMMUTERS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF  PROCE-
DURES AND EQUIPMENT USED DURING EVACUATION PROCEDURES.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S4178B

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Sponsored By

Terrence Murphy

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Bill Amendments

2015-S4178 - Details

2015-S4178 - Summary

2015-S4178 - Sponsor Memo

2015-S4178 - Bill Text download pdf

2015-S4178A - Details

2015-S4178A - Summary

2015-S4178A - Bill Text download pdf

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S4178B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments