OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL - METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

The Office of the MTA Inspector General has issued a report entitled “MTA and NYC Transit Have Not Fully Managed Their Responsibilities Regarding Privately Owned Elevators, Escalators, and Stairways” (#2011-12). This report contains findings and recommendations calling on the MTA and NYC Transit to utilize every reasonable means to ensure that these escalators are restored to service as quickly as possible. They accepted our recommendations. The report follows up on our earlier one entitled “Ineffective Use of Remote Monitoring Technology for New York City Transit Elevators and Escalators” (#2011-08). While most of the elevators, escalators, and stairways providing access to the subway system are owned and maintained by NYC Transit (the subject of our first report), a number of others are privately owned and maintained. For some time now, the public has been seriously disserved by the excessive amount of time that such privately owned escalators, which help move passengers at some of the busiest stations in New York City, have been out of service. While this disservice is largely the result of private owners not meeting their obligations, a share of the fault belongs to the MTA and NYC Transit, which have not effectively managed their own responsibilities regarding this equipment by immediately notifying and pressing the owners responsible for escalator maintenance, repair, and replacement to fulfill their contractual obligations. The public is entitled to no less. .