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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today presented testimony before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), urging that the MTA maintain station agents in the City’s subways.

“Riders depend on agents to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the system,” Thompson said. “Station agents also act in emergencies – thousands of times a year. Agents can reach Command Center instantly. And they are the quickest way to reach emergency services – fire, EMS, the police – in the subways.”

He continued, “In fact, the MTA tells us, ‘When you see something, say something.’ And it has even posted signs in many stations that say, ‘Report any immediate concerns to the Station Agent.’ But if there is no station agent, where will riders go?”

Thompson’s testimony noted the budget savings the MTA claims. “The MTA also has argued that this is a budget decision,” he said. “But, in 2009, it indicates savings of just $3.1 million with this program, and $12.4 million in 2010. While it makes sense to look for imaginative ways to save money, this is not a smart way to do it.”

Last week, Thompson was joined at the 77th Street station on the 6 line by the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, Transport Workers Union Local 100, the New York City Transit Riders Council, Transportation Alternatives and City Council members Miguel Martinez and Bill de Blasio to urge the MTA to keep its promise to keep all service in place if funding came through. The station’s 24-hour uptown booth is among those targeted to be closed.

Thompson also has unveiled a new feature on his website, www.comptroller.nyc.gov, which allows transit riders to search which subway stations would be affected if the MTA moves forward with the cuts. Based on information it released in December 2008, the MTA would close 41 station booths and eliminate or reduce station agent coverage at 158 additional locations – a total of 199 cuts.

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