N.Y. R.R. Law § 196
Every corporation operating a street surface railroad in the counties of Albany and Rensselaer shall cause the front and rear platforms of every car propelled by electricity, cable or compressed air, during the months of December, January, February and March, except cars attached to the rear of other cars, to be inclosed from the front and at least one side of the platform to the hood, so as to afford protection to any person stationed by such corporation on such platforms to perform duties in connection with the operation of such cars. Platforms on cars on such street surface railroads used more than one mile outside the limits of a city shall be completely inclosed from platform to hood. Every corporation using and operating a car in violation of this section shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five dollars per day for each car so used and operated, to be collected by the people to the use of the poor of the county in which such corporation has its principal office, in an action brought by the commission or commissioner having jurisdiction or the district attorney of such county. The supreme court may, on the application of a citizen, direct the district attorney to bring such action.
N.Y. R.R. Law § 196