New Schumer Analysis of LIRR Stations Reveals LIRR Woefully Behind in Implementing Critical Safety and Security Measures

New Schumer Analysis Of LIRR Stations Reveals LIRR Woefully Behind In Implementing Critical Safety And Security Measures

Schumer: Other Problems Abound In Addition to Gaps on the Platform

5 years after 9/11 and No Federal Minimum Rail Security Standards Exist; 80% of LIRR Stations Surveyed Do Not Have Blast Resistant Garbage Cans, 92% Do Not Have Closed Circuit Cameras

In the Wake of New Revelations that LIRR Officials Knew About Dangerous Gaps, Senator Calls for Comprehensive NTSB Investigat

On the heels of recent reports of dangerous gaps in Long Island Railroad platforms that the LIRR knew about but didn't aggressively fix, today Senator Charles E. Schumer released the details of a new study that shows that the gaps may be just the tip of the iceberg. Schumer's study reveals that other problems abound and that Long Island Railroad stations lack the critical safety and security infrastructure to keep their riders safe. Schumer today called on the LIRR to immediately review its entire infrastructure for potential safety issues, as well as to establish regular and comprehensive inspections to continually ensure the protection of its passengers and serve as a mechanism to immediately correct any problems. He also called on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to intervene and assist the LIRR in investigating its system and formulate essential new safety recommendations.

"In the past few weeks LIRR stations have been under fire for not properly regulating platform gaps, sadly that may only be the tip of the iceberg," Schumer said. "When almost all of the LIRR stations don't have the proper safety mechanisms in place, it unnecessarily endangers the 300,000 people who go through those stations every day. Its time the LIRR and the NTSB step in and ensure that safety regulations are followed. "

The recent death of an 18 year old woman who fell through an 11 inch platform gap at a station in Woodside, Queens underscores the need for the LIRR to immediately review its infrastructure throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties for broad potential safety issues. Just yesterday it was revealed that the LIRR has known about this problem for years and, while gaps have contributed to at least 115 accidents in the last two years, they have done very little to substantively fix it.

A survey of 30 of the most heavily trafficked LIRR stations performed by the Senator's office in July and August and released today shows that the safety infrastructure is poorly maintained and common sense measures severely lacking. While the excessive platform gaps are a serious cause for concern, so too are the numerous other problems which could give rise to preventable accidents.

The Schumer analysis also revealed a startling lack of physical security infrastructure even after directives were issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over 2 years ago to enhance security at major transit links such as the LIRR. Little progress appears to have been made by the LIRR to follow these recommendations. Schumer said today that the inadequate security measures at LIRR stations demonstrates another example of riders being put at risk due a vulnerable and unprepared rail network. In the survey, Schumer's office found many glaring problems with the various safety and security conditions present.

The survey found: less than 7% of the stations had closed circuit surveillance cameras; only 17% of the stations had visible crisis or safety procedure signs; 33% had sufficient handicapped accessibility and clearly noticeable exits; and 23% had clearly visible exit signs. In addition, 30% percent were plagued with dilapidated platforms; 33% with rusted through or unlocked electrical equipment; 17% had either faded or no visible demarcation of a safe distance from the train and tracks; 17% had access points such as stairs that were in unsuitable condition; 23% did not expressly prohibit entrance into restricted track areas with signs; and at none of these stations was entry into those areas witnessed or punished. Additionally, most stations appeared to have minimal personnel and few guards. MTA police were rarely sighted.

In addition to safety, Schumer said today that the LIRR must also do a better job ensuring their security from terror threats. The recently foiled plot aboard airliners has served as a wake up call that far more needs to be done to keep our rails safe and secure. In May of 2004 DHS issued a number of directives which called on major transit operators to enhance physical security by, among other measures, installing transparent bomb-resistant trash cans, deploying additional police and security personnel, and installing closed circuit security cameras. The study Schumer released today showed that the MTA has made almost no progress toward following the security directives, putting millions of commuters in danger. In addition to the dearth of closed circuit surveillance (less than 7% of stations had them), only 20% of the 30 LIRR stations sampled appeared to have blast resistant, transparent, and locked garbage cans.

In an effort to make the largest commuter railroad in the country safer and more secure, in a letter to LIRR president James Dermody, Schumer asked to immediately review its infrastructure for broad potential safety issues, as well as to establish regular and comprehensive inspections to continually ensure the protection of its passengers and thus quickly correct problems. He wrote "The time has come to give these safety issues the attention they demand when millions of riders, including the elderly and disabled, are clearly at risk. It is vital that the LIRR address this large range of safety issues, offering recommendations and new uniform standards to mitigate concerns on the condition of aging and dilapidated platforms and lack of cameras that are consistently monitored, among other areas."

Schumer today also called on the NTSB to intervene and assist the LIRR in investigating the network and formulating essential safety and security recommendations.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=262204&&year=2006&