Power commission orders Con Edison to improve subway service

© Shutterstock

After repeated power failures in the New York City subway, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has ordered Con Edison to take action to improve reliability, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said recently.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has had more than 32,000 subway delays and service disruptions since July 2016 caused by power-related issues.

The problems include power failure, insufficient power backup, power dips that cause equipment failure, and power surges that force the system to shut down.

“To repair the MTA, we must also focus on the services that the MTA relies upon,” Cuomo said. “The number one necessity is a reliable power supply. That must be provided by Con Edison. Over the years there have been band aids placed all over the system. We need to fundamentally upgrade the entire system. I thank Con Edison for their cooperation.”

PSC will oversee all work in coordination with MTA. Con Edison has been ordered to perform the necessary remediation within a year. Priority projects must be completed in six months, second-tier projects in nine months, and all projects in 12 months.

The remediation plan includes the inspection of all trackside equipment, the replacement of aluminum conductors with copper, and the installation of smart meters.