It's time to gear up for the Daily News's annual celebration of the unsung heroes of NYC Transit -- TWU Local 100 members who go the extra mile to stop crime, recover property, or just brighten a fellow New Yorker's day by doing something wonderful. Don't be bashful -- nominate yourself or a co-worker! Here's the Daily News's article, by transit reporter Dan Rivoli:
The round-the –click transit system is just one reason New York is the city that never sleeps. As ridership soars to record numbers, the challenge of keeping the system running safely has become more daunting for tens of thousands of Metropolitan Transportation Authority employees. But day after day, they rise to the challenge — often putting themselves in harm’s way and responding to emergencies like champions.
In recognition of their service to the riding public, the Daily News is partnering with the MTA and the Transport Workers Union Local 100 to launch the fourth annual Hometown Heroes in Transit awards.
“The men and women of MTA New York City Transit work around the clock to keep this city moving, but too often their contributions are unknown to the millions of people they serve every day,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said. “New York City couldn’t function without them. The Daily News Hometown Heroes in Transit awards ensure New Yorkers recognize their vital work and honor our employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.”
The jobs can be arduous, grimy and hazardous, with less room for error in the 111-year-old system facing overcrowding problems. The examples of transit workers’ efforts to maintain safe and reliable transportation can get lost amid the frantic flow of riders darting in and out of subway, commuter rail and bus stations. “The transit system is such a vital part of our everyday lives in this city that sometimes we take it for granted,” said Daily News Executive Editor Jim Rich. “The people who, with little fanfare, make sure we get where we are going, deserve to be recognized. They are the silent heroes of our city.” The Hometown Heroes in Transit honored its first group of MTA workers in 2013, with the city and subway system recovering from Hurricane Sandy months earlier. The News has since started to honor the city’s educators with Hometown Heroes in Education awards.
“I was thrilled four years ago when TWU Local 100 teamed up with The Daily News for the first Hometown Heroes in Transit awards, and I’m even more thrilled to see this great program continue,” said TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen. “The men and women of Local 100 - who move more than 8 million riders every single day - are dedicated professionals who deserve to be recognized for their hard work and sacrifice." Nominations for transit workers will be open through Dec. 18. The winners will be honored at a reception in February. News readers can nominate the transit worker in their lives by email, mail or fax. For email submissions, send to hometownheroestransit@nydailynews.com.