The Federal Transit Administration has raised concerns about the New York City subway system’s safety practices. In a recent audit, the FTA stated that there is a significant risk of death or injury to track workers due to unsafe conditions and practices within the subway system. This comes following incidents where a subway worker was fatally dragged under a train in November 2023 and another was critically injured in June 2024.
According to the FTA, there were 38 close calls involving subway workers nearly being harmed in 2023, an increase from 24 incidents in 2022. Half of these near misses were attributed to transit workers not adhering to established flagging rules, which are crucial for alerting train operators of workers on the tracks.
The FTA has directed New York City Transit, which operates the subway system, to conduct a thorough safety assessment, submit a plan for addressing safety concerns, and implement weekly internal monitoring of safety compliance. However, officials at New York City Transit have expressed their intention to appeal the directive.
Demetrius Crichlow, the interim president of the transit agency, defended the agency’s stance on safety, stating that they strongly refute the FTA’s claims of negligence in ensuring the safety of track workers. Crichlow mentioned that investigations into the incidents are ongoing, and the agency is taking measures to enhance safety protocols based on the findings.
Failure to comply with the FTA’s directives could potentially result in New York City Transit losing a portion of its federal funding, highlighting the significance of addressing the safety concerns outlined in the audit.