MTA leaders spend time with transit workers on the job
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Transit workers move millions of people around the tri-state region every day.
On Monday, as part of National Transit Worker Appreciation Day, MTA management spent time with front-line workers and highlighted the workers’ essential roles in the system.
Daniel Ribeiro is a LIRR signal inspector.
“We are the lifeline. I’m really proud of the crews,” Ribeiro said.
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Courtney Williams has 21 years with transit and currently is conductor on the No. 7 line. He had the president of NYC Transit with him in the cab on the job Monday.
Williams is ready for whatever the shift brings.
“I’ve been called all kinds of names. I say, ‘have a nice day.’ If I thought about every incident, I would stay home. I was hired to be a transit worker,” Williams said.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber worked in stations and spoke with agents and cleaners.
“Today is a chance for all of us to show our gratitude to the thousands of workers across the MTA who keep New York moving. Of course, we thank our conductors and operators, station agents and cleaners as I always do when I’m out in the system, but also folks like the planners who schedule trips and the technical specialists who maintain our fleet,” said Lieber.
They addressed the jobs and safety at a joint media availability after performing some duties together.
The Transport Workers Union has been calling attention to an increase in assaults on workers. A conductor was slashed in the neck on Feb 9. The suspect has not been identified or caught. Recent crimes in the system have included a shooting last on the A train during rush hour.
At the end of the media availability, Chairman Lieber said the most recent NYPD statistics show crime is down.
The city added 1,000 officers to transit patrols and the Governor sent state police and National Guard into the system.
There are an average six felonies a day in a system that has been registering about 4 million rides a day.
Mental health response teams and addressing repeat offenders with district attorneys are also part of upgraded plans.
Cameras are set to be installed on all cars by the end of the year. Platforms that don’t have surveillance are also to be equipped with cameras.
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