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.
On the other side of the debate, John Samuelsen, president of the Transit Workers Union, criticized the veto, calling it “classist” and suggesting it could affect relations with transit workers ahead of Governor Hochul’s re-election campaign. Jeff Chiarello, president of TWU Local 100, expressed disappointment in the decision but noted that the union’s contract prevents unilateral expansion of the practice on the subway system. He stated that trains will continue to operate with both a train operator and conductor, and that one-person train operation (OPTO) will not expand as a result of the veto, as reported by Gothamist.
Governor Hochul’s decision maintains the current system, allowing one-person train operations where permitted by line and contract agreements. The MTA’s use of one-person train operation (OTP) is part of ongoing discussions regarding efficiency, safety, and the operation of one of the nation’s busiest public transit systems.
