State OKs banning subway pervs from MTA

Sickos who commit sexual crimes on the subway can be banned from using the MTA’s mass transit services for up to three years under the state budget plan passed Thursday by the Legislature.

The law, expected to be signed by Gov. Cuomo in the coming days, would let judges bar from New York City’s subways, buses and commuter rails those convicted of carrying out unlawful sexual conduct in the system.

Judges may also issue a transit ban against anyone convicted of assaulting a Metropolitan Transportation Authority transit worker.

The governor has for more than a year floated the idea of banning repeat pervs from the subway, and the issue was a focal point for interim NYC Transit president Sarah Feinberg in her previous role as a Cuomo-appointed MTA board member.

“This new measure will help better protect our millions of customers and employees who while moving around the city should never be subjected to groping, harassment or abuse,” said MTA spokesman Ken Lovett. “We thank the governor for his leadership on this important issue and the Legislature for including it in the final budget.”

It’s not yet clear how the new rule will be enforced.

The NYPD keeps a list of known repeat subway sex offenders, but cops must follow them on the subway and wait for them to commit a creepy crime before making an arrest. If a judge were to ban those pervs from transit, cops could stop them before they commit another offense.

The idea of banning anyone from the city’s public transit systems does not sit well with rider advocates.

“You shouldn’t ban people from public spaces. It raises constitutional issues. It’s incredibly divisive,” said Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein.

“The MTA and all the elected officials responsible for the subway’s performance have much bigger fish to fry on transit policy,” Pearlstein added.

Transport Workers Union Local 100 president Tony Utano said the legislation should help protect his members from being assaulted on the job.