§ 217. Powers and duties of the board. The board shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To investigate accidents occurring on or involving public transportation facilities or systems whether publicly or privately owned and report on the results of such investigations;
2. To establish within the board an accident reporting procedure and file for the purpose of accurate analysis of public transportation safety and to prepare an annual accident report for the governor and the legislature;
3. To review, in connection with the investigation of accidents the safety, maintenance and training programs of public transportation facilities or systems whether publicly or privately owned and recommend the establishment of equipment and safety standards in connection therewith;
4. To adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind suitable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions and purposes of this article or to enforce any standards established hereunder;
5. To hold hearings, issue reports, administer oaths or affirmations, examine any person under oath or affirmation and to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and giving of testimony of witnesses and require the production of any books, papers, documentary or other evidence. The powers provided in this subdivision may be delegated by the board to any member of the board or department employee assigned to the board. A subpoena issued under this subdivision shall be regulated by the civil practice law and rules;
6. To take or cause to be taken affidavits or depositions within or without the state;
7. To enter upon any property where a public transportation accident has occurred, or where a vehicle, appurtenance or other item involved in any such accident is located, to fulfill the requirements of article nine-b of this chapter.
8. To render each year to the governor and to the legislature a written report of its activities.
9. To enforce the requirements of section five thousand three hundred twenty-nine of title forty-nine of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, as it pertains to oversight of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems.
