The purpose of this project was to study the feasibility of a regional approach to rail transit training in the New York metropolitan area and to recommend a means for implementing such a cooperative training effort. The study focused on the following agencies -- the New Jersey Transit Rail division, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson corporation, Metro North Commuter Rail, Long Island Railroad, and the New York City Transit Authority. These agencies employ approximately two thirds of all rail transit employees in the United States.

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this project was to study the feasibility of a regional approach to rail transit training in the New York metropolitan area and to recommend a means for implementing such a cooperative training effort. The first part was to study the existing training at the five agencies, to document the training needs of each agency, and to determine mutual training needs that could be addressed on a regional basis.

<p>The purpose of this project was to study the feasibility of a regional approach to rail transit training in the New York metropolitan area and to recommend a means for implementing such a cooperative training effort. The first part was to study the existing training at the five agencies, to document the training needs of each agency, and to determine mutual training needs that could be addressed on a regional basis.

In the New York metropolitan region, there are over 50,000 people employed in rail transit in five separate public rail agencies, including both heavy rail (sometimes called subway or rapid rail) and commuter rail. This represents approximately two thirds of all rail transit employees in the United States. Each of these five agencies is struggling to provide quality service while containing their costs.

The story has been told often. The sustained economic success
that thrust New York into international preeminence has been
closely linked to the development and maintenance of superior
systems of transportation. Whether in the leading role or a
supporting position, transportation underwent critical improvements
as one economic era evolved into the next. In the 19th Century the
Erie Canal made New York City the gateway to the frontier. Later
in the same century outstanding port facilities attracted the