Hochul Vetoes Bill Requiring Two-Person Crews on Most NYC Subway Trains

The decision keeps one-person train operation in place on lines where it already runs.

Overview

Hochul cited safety, operational flexibility, and an estimated cost of up to $10 million per year in rejecting the mandate.
The veto maintains MTA discretion and preserves one-person operation on the A, G, M, 5 and shuttle services.
Bill S4091/A4873, passed in June, would have required both a conductor and an operator on nearly all trains.
The Transit Workers Union criticized the decision and may pursue a two-crew rule in upcoming contract negotiations that run through 2026.
Budget and planning groups praised the veto as consistent with global norms and warned a mandate would constrain modernization and raise operating costs.