Section 201. Construction of park railroads in cities having a population of one million five hundred thousand or upwards

For  the purpose of
  providing for the more speedy transportation of  persons  across  public
  parks  in the cities within the state of New York having a population of
  one million five hundred thousand or upwards it shall be lawful for  the
  municipal  authorities,  officers, departments, or boards having control
  of such parks to construct railroads in and upon  tunnels  or  roads  or
  ways  depressed  below  the surface of said parks in such cities in this
  state, and to extend the same east or west to connect with  any  surface
  railroads  in  such  cities,  now in existence, and with railroads which
  hereafter may be built by companies now chartered and existing,  and  to
  contract in the name of such cities, with any person or corporations for
  the  construction thereof, and for the equipment and running of the same
  either  with  or  without  public  advertisement  upon  such  terms  and
  conditions,  including  the rates of fare to be charged to persons using
  such railroads, for such compensation to be paid  to  such  cities,  and
  subject to such rules, regulations and requirements as may be determined
  upon in said contract, and as the department or board, or officer having
  charge  of  said  parks  may, from time to time, thereafter establish or
  impose.