Objective

To determine the extent of implementation of the six recommendations included in our initial report, Selected Safety and Security Equipment at Subway Stations (2016-S-92).

About the Program

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) New York City Transit (Transit) operates the subway system in four of the five New York City boroughs, excluding Staten Island, carrying an average of 5.4 million passengers per weekday.

Transit’s Electronic Maintenance Division (EMD) is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the equipment used to ensure the safety and security of passengers using the public transportation system. Transit’s safety and security equipment includes Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), a TV system in which strategically placed cameras’ input is observed on monitors off site. As of May 16, 2019, Transit had installed 9,290 CCTV surveillance cameras, 1,712 monitors, 334 digital video recorders, 4 video cassette recorders, and related accessories (e.g., camera components, power supplies, cables). As of May 22, 2019, 2,918 Help Point Intercoms (HPIs), which customers may use to obtain travel information or emergency assistance, had been installed in 459 subway stations. EMD has a CCTV preventive maintenance schedule for all installed CCTV cameras and recording devices. EMD is also responsible for repairing video system equipment, unless it is still under warranty.

Our initial report, issued on April 12, 2018, determined that preventive maintenance was not performed within the scheduled frequency levels set by Transit. Additionally, EMD did not establish a timetable for preventive maintenance for HPIs. Moreover, when a problem was identified, repairs were not always timely.

Key Finding

We found that the MTA made progress in addressing the problems we identified in the initial audit report. Of the six audit recommendations, two were implemented, two were partially recommendations, and two were not implemented.

Key Recommendation

Officials are given 30 days after the issuance of the follow-up review to provide information on any action planned to address the unresolved issues discussed in this review.