NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A conductor and train operator are responsible for evacuating dozens of train passengers at the 28th Street station late Wednesday while Ida flooded New York City, union officials said.
TWU Local 100 credited conductor Oneil Francis and train operator Bryan Roman for helping get riders to safety as water overflowed onto the platform and tracks at about 9:30 p.m.
Roman was driving the uptown 1 train into the Chelsea stop when he saw water overflowing into the station. He stopped the train with only its front car at the station.
According to the transit union, Francis and Roman split duties in helping evacuate passengers, with the conductor handling the back half of cars, while the operator took the front half.
The duo brought riders to the front of the train, where they could then get onto the platform. Union officials say more than 100 people were safely evacuated.
"It takes a team on the train during a time like this," TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said about the duo, which has 13 years of experience between them. "Conductors and train operators across the system used their training, worked together, and evacuated passengers quickly and safely."
The union used the rescue to campaign against one-person train operation, saying the two-person efforts show the need for more than a single person onboard.
"This emergency, and the power outage last week, should put an end to any notion of running subway trains without conductors, as some have advocated over the years as a way to cut labor costs. It’s all hands on deck in such emergencies and full staffing is needed," said a union spokesperson.
TWU Local 100 said this wasn't the only large rescue operation during the storm. It says more than 300 riders were also evacuated from a train stalled in the 60th Street tunnel.
Gov. Kathy Hochul was among several elected officials to give their thanks to transit workers after the havoc that Ida brought to New York’s roadways and railways.
A crowd of social media users also sent their well wishes to the workers — including one proud mother.
“That's my son Train Operator Roman on right, so proud of you and Conductor Francis on left!!” tweeted @smoothmiracles.