Governor Hochul Signs Bill Requiring NYC Transit Authority to Submit Annual Noise Reports

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation (S.3434/A.6265) requiring the New York City Transit Authority to produce annual reports detailing its efforts to reduce noise throughout the system. The legislation adds language clarifying the authority's responsibility to produce annual noise abatement reports.

"Public transit should enhance New Yorkers' quality of life, not disturb it," said Governor Hochul. "This legislation will ensure New York City Transit is prioritizing communities' concerns as our subways roar back to life and New York's comeback continues."

This legislation clarifies the NYCTA's responsibilities with regards to the annual noise abatement report. Various efforts to reduce noise such as train care screeching, rail clacking, and grease pumps have been implemented to reduce noise levels for transit systems as a result of the 1982 legislation. Clarifying the Rapid Transit Noise Code's annual reports aims to reprioritize noise as a problem.

State Senator Leroy Comrie said, "Among the many responsibilities of the MTA there is an essential cornerstone, being a good neighbor. This noise abatement reporting legislation will accomplish two things--first, letting New Yorkers and legislative leaders know what steps the authority takes on a year-to-year basis to mitigate impacts and second, providing a transparent record of when and where resources are being or will be deployed. Our shared goal continues to be that the trains, buses and rail run on time, in the safest, most efficient and most community-friendly manner possible."

Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus said, "I'm thrilled that the Governor has signed my Stop the Noise bill addressing unnecessary, preventative noise from elevated trains that's impacting residents in Coney Island and across the city. Excessive noise impacts our physical and mental health, quality of life, and the enjoyment of our homes and neighborhoods. We all know that noise is part of life in the city, but there are reasonable limits. Thank you to the residents of Brightwater Towers who rightfully made a lot of noise of their own and brought this to my attention, to my colleagues in Albany for recognizing the need for more oversight of this issue, and to Governor Hochul for signing it into law. This will help bring a bit of quiet to our city and help neighbors and trains coexist peacefully."