The New York City subways have structural problems and defective conditions that need to be repaired for the safety of the public transportation commuters. Last month, on September 10, 2015, a G train subway derailed, injuring three individuals. To address this issue, the city and state are moving forward with a plan to close the budget gap in the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which will lead to much needed repairs.
The September accident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. as the subway train was approaching the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station in Brooklyn. The accident occurred when a service ledge bowed into the path of the oncoming train.
The conductor’s attempt to stop the train in time proved unsuccessful and the train hit the structure approximately 700 feet north of the subway station. Over 80 passengers were evacuated following the derailment. Thomas Prendergast, the chairman of the MTA stated, “Make no mistake: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is fully responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the New York region’s mass transit system, and an incident of this magnitude is unacceptable.”
However, Mr. Prendergast also placed blame on Mayor Bill de Blasio following the derailment for failing to reach an agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding the funding of the MTA. Mr. Prendergast said in a statement, “I am tired of writing letters to city officials that result only in vague calls for more conversations…. The sooner we can end these games and get to work on rebuilding our transit network, the better we can serve the 8.5 million customers who rely on the MTA every day.”
Mr. Prendergast suggested that the city and state allocate their contributions to the MTA with the state paying $8.3 billion and the city contributing $3.2 billion. The agreement that ultimately was reached on October 10, 2015 was for the state to pay the $3.2 billion that was suggested and the city is to pay $2.5 billion.
The five-year $29 billion capital plan will assist in covering costs for the maintenance and improvements to the subway system, along with buses and commuter rail lines. According to Mr. Prendergast the capital program allocates $927.5 million to repairing and rebuilding the subway line structures, including the bench walls, such as the one involved in September’s derailment.
The deteriorating subway system may lead to serious personal injuries, such as the derailment, as well as problems with platforms, trains and other structures that need to be fixed immediately. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident involving the New York City subway system, contact Louis Grandelli, P.C.
