Albany’s upper chamber approved the bill, which is being pushed by the transit workers union — TWU International and its Local 100, as part of its last blitz of votes for this year’s legislative session. The measure would still have to clear the Assembly on Friday, the last day of the 2026 legislative session, and receive Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature in order to become law.
Last year, both the Senate and Assembly passed a version of the same bill, but Hochul rejected it — citing an additional $10 million cost she said it bore.
“The governor will review the legislation,” Hochul spokesperson Sean Butler said in a statement.
TWU International President John Samuelsen told amNewYork that he expects the bill to pass the Assembly as well. Mike Whyland, a spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, said it was “likely” the bill would get a vote on Friday.
“It’s got overwhelming bipartisan support because it makes absolute sense,” Samuelsen said.
Subway staffing bill still opposed by MTA
The MTA and a bevy of good government groups also continue to oppose the legislation. On Friday, the MTA did not offer a comment when reached by amNewYork.
Trains on most lines in the system are still operated by two-person crews — a driver and a conductor — except for the three shuttle services and certain lines during off-peak hours. The practice of running trains with only one human worker, the driver, while an automated conductor is present, is known as “one-person train operation” (OPTO).
However, while last year’s version of the bill would have enshrined two-person crews on all trains, including those that already have OPTO, this year’s would only effect those that currently have two. Hochul’s objection to last year’s bill was based on the projected cost of reinstating two operators on trains that already have OPTO.
Samuelsen said they adjusted the bill, sponsored by state Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman (D-Brooklyn), this year to better its chances of nabbing Hochul’s signature.
“We crafted the bill to meet the governor’s objections to the bill,” he said. “So the bill that’s going to go to her desk addresses the objections that she put forth in her veil message last year.”
TWU has been pushing such legislation for years to protect the jobs of the roughly 3,600 conductors it represents. Samuelsen also argues that having two train operators is necessary to help riders safely exit trains during emergencies.
It reintroduced the effort this year as it negotiates a new contract with the state and the MTA. Samuelsen said getting two-person train operation enshrined into law will safeguard against the governor and the MTA using it at the bargaining table.
“I think their ultimate goal is to try to beat the TWU at the bargaining table and get rid of the conductors,” he said. “And knowing that that is the ultimate goal, that’s why we want the bill passed.”