NYCT now required to submit subway noise reports

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation requiring MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) to produce annual reports detailing efforts to reduce subway noise.

The legislation clarifies the authority's responsibilities in reporting noise abatement. Various efforts to reduce noise — such as train car screeching, rail clacking and grease pumps — have been implemented to cut noise levels for transit systems as a result of legislation signed in 1982. Clarifying the Rapid Transit Noise Code's annual reports aims to reprioritize noise as a problem.

"Public transit should enhance New Yorkers' quality of life, not disturb it," said Hochul in a press release. "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."