Purpose

To determine the extent of implementation of the three recommendations included in our initial report, Operational Training and Medical Assessments of Train Crews (Report 2017-S-71).

Background

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is a public benefit corporation that operates North America’s largest transportation network. New York City Transit (Transit), one of the MTA’s constituent agencies, operates bus and subway service within the City of New York. Staten Island Railway (SIR) is a subsidiary agency that operates a single rapid transit line on Staten Island, which runs from the St. George Ferry Terminal to the southern terminus at the Tottenville Terminal. Adminstratively, SIR is a separate operating unit, reporting to Transit’s Department of Subways.

Train crews consist of two members: a Locomotive Engineer (Engineer) and a Conductor. Induction Training is required for all employees new to their positions and is conducted both in the classroom and at various train yards.

Additionally, train crews are required to take Refresher Training courses (Book of Rules and Signals biennially and Roadway Worker Protection annually) intended to update the employees on current operating, communications, fire, and evacuation procedures.

Employees new to these positions are required to pass a medical assessment at a Medical Assessment Center (MAC). Periodic medical assessments are required every two years for Engineers and every five years for Conductors. Revisits may be necessary as determined by MAC medical personnel.

We issued our initial audit report on March 1, 2018. We found that SIR was not in compliance with the requirements of the Induction and Refresher Training established for its Engineers and Conductors. For example, for our sample of Conductors, 61 percent (55 of 90) of the Induction Training test papers were either not graded or missing. In addition, for our sample of Engineers, 81.7 percent (49 of 60) of test papers for those newly hired and 41.7 percent (30 of 72) for those newly promoted were either missing or not graded. Because these tests cover knowledge of safety issues and how to respond in situations that may delay trains en route, it is essential that SIR ensure train crews take and pass these tests. We also noted that medical assessments were not always done for either Conductors or Engineers.

Key Finding

MTA-SIR officials made progress in addressing the problems we identified in the initial audit report. Of the initial report’s three audit recommendations, one was implemented and two were partially 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.