Straphangers Cast Blame On MTA For Sleeping Workers

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- MTA, we have a problem.

That was the reaction from many straphangers Sunday at Columbus Circle after hearing that 48 MTA employees have been suspended over the last four years for falling asleep on the job, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.

They largely blamed the MTA, not the snoozing workers.

"I can't believe that all of them are irresponsible," one woman said. "The fact of the matter is there's so much of it going on, that tells me there's a problem with their administration."

Solomon, too, told Schuck he faulted the agency.

"The MTA should be looking at these people and finding out if they have sleep apnea and, if they do, they shouldn't be working the night shift," he said.

"It's possible that they're overworking them," another woman added. "Maybe they need to employ more people so a few others who are working overtime can get some rest."

Solomon added that he's not concerned much with booth operators who doze off, but the thought of sleeping train operators concerns him.

"You're doing something with the lives of people at stake," he said. "You need to keep your eyes open."

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