FILE Credit: © Anthony Behar
NEW YORK (77WABC) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that independent investigators concluded the mishap that shut down half the subway system in late August was due to MTA employee error — not a power surge as previously thought.
Hochul released the report Friday explaining the order of events that was traced to one person whose actions knocked out subway service for five hours the night of Sunday August 29. Preliminary indications suggested that the emergency push button might have been accidentally pressed since a plastic guard that prevents accidental activation was missing.
“I am directing mitigation steps to ensure riders are not interrupted by these causes ever again,” Hochul said in a press release. “New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in a fully functioning subway system, and it is our job to restore that confidence.”
Hochul also directed a review of Operation Control Centers across the MTA to fix any other potential weaknesses.
“The report tasks the MTA with immediately reorganizing how we maintain and manage key systems that support the RCC,” MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “The agency will also install additional cable connections to improve power redundancy in the building, as well as a more comprehensive Building Management System that will provide detailed visibility into the status of the building’s electrical distribution, mechanical, and security systems.”
