Hochul Vetoes New York Subway Two-Person Crew Mandate

Overview

• The Legislature had approved a bill to require both an operator and a conductor on every subway train, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Parker and Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman.
• Gov. Kathy Hochul said the mandate could cost up to $10 million a year, reduce service, and limit benefits from new trains and signal upgrades.
• The MTA has used one-person train operation since 2005 on lines including the A, G, M, 5 and shuttle services, which policy groups describe as the global norm.
• A coalition including the Citizens Budget Commission, Partnership for New York City, Regional Plan Association, Reinvent Albany, and NYU’s Transit Costs Project opposed the bill and supported the veto.
• TWU Local 100 backed two-person crews as a safety measure, and the union may seek staffing changes in 2026 contract negotiations.