Assembly requires MTA to notify riders within 24 hours of discovered bed‑bug infestations

The Assembly on March 24 approved a law requiring the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to notify customers within 24 hours when it becomes aware of bed‑bug infestations on a train, bus or subway car.

Sponsor Assemblymember Colton (label 37) said the MTA already has mass‑notification systems and that the bill tacks bed‑bug alerts onto existing channels, such as email, text and 311. He described the measure as one of transparency to assure riders that the authority is addressing infestations.

Members asked detailed operational questions: how awareness is triggered (rider report vs. crew discovery), whether MTA staff are trained to identify bed bugs or to verify reports before alerts, whether vehicles must be taken out of service and treated, and what follow‑up notices riders should expect after remediation. Colton said the bill leaves remedial steps and verification to the MTA’s discretion and that notifications should include line or route information and actions taken where applicable.

The Assembly passed the bill, Ayes 101, Nays 40. Supporters said transparency would boost public confidence; critics argued agencies should be funded and trained before imposing a statutory notification duty.

What happens next: the MTA will adapt its notification practices and may produce guidance on verification and remediation procedures.