Plan to join us for the 2009 NYS public transit industry Innovation and Sustainability Spring Conference! The program provides timely educational sessions, opportunities for networking and information sharing, and the latest information on products and services from transit's business community.

Time for networking and interaction with colleagues, presenters, NYS Department of Transportation and USDOT FTA officials will be available throughout the conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas with transit industry leaders from across the state and nation.

Our educational sessions will address:

• Integrating Transportation Systems and the Communities They Serve
• Transforming Transportation Through Integrated Education Community Development
• How to Build a Coordinated Human Service Transportation System
• Coordination 2.0: Coordinated Transportation Plans
• Transit Supportive Development Case Study and CDTA's North-South Corridors Action Plan
• Transit Design: Inspiring the Next Generation of Transit Riders
• Asheville's Going Green Transportation Strategy
• Creating a Social Media Relationship With Our Public Transit Customers
• The Economy and Transit: What Does the Future Hold?

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Public Transit Industry and Stakeholders Join Together for Transit Awareness Day

Transit calls for Restoration of Proposed Cuts

New York State's public transit industry and its stakeholders joined forces for "Transit Awareness Day" held March 2, at the Legislative Office Building.

Riders, environmentalists, labor, business, the disability awareness community and transit agencies from throughout the state, including the MTA, upstate authorities and small urban and rural transit, came together in a strong showing of support for funding public transit.

"No other infrastructure investment can match the results public transit delivers in economic growth and productivity, public health, environmental improvement, energy conservation, access to jobs, independent living, and economic well-being for all New Yorkers," said Ray Melleady, NYPTA President.

The 2009-10 Executive Budget significantly reduces state public transit operating assistance (STOA) by over $285.6 million. Total downstate STOA is slated to be cut by over $272 million or 9.77%, the bulk of which will come from the MTA. STOA for upstate systems will see a $13.3 million cut, which represents a 7.57% reduction over current levels.

"In difficult economic times it appears the most prudent thing we can do is cut spending. However, there are times when our failure to invest actually ends up costing us more. This is one of those times," Melleady said.

"The economy, environmental awareness and fluctuating gas prices have resulted in record numbers of people turning to public transportation. At a time in our history when we have never been more dedicated to reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating tailpipe emissions and rebuilding our economy, we are confronted with budget proposals that undo our progress," Melleady explained.

The public transit industry asked legislators to restore proposed cuts, support the recommendations of the Ravitch Commission, and to establish new, dedicated revenue sources.

Transit Awareness Day participants included the New York Public Transit Association, NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, Citizens Regional Transit Corp., Empire State Transportation Alliance, the Environmental Defense Fund, ATU Local 1321, New York Association for Independent Living, Capital District Coalition for Accessible Transportation, and the business community.

The public transit industry includes over 110 transit systems throughout New York, which collectively provide more than two billion transit rides annually. Public transit agencies and systems, operating in nearly every county, are providing safe, economical and environmentally friendly alternatives to the automobile and, in so doing, are providing real economic value through improved productivity, lower business costs, and overall public benefit.

Click Here to view more photos!

Thank You Transit Awareness Day Sponsors & Partners:

Partners:
Amalgamated Transit Union
NYPIRG's Straphangers Campaign / Empire State Transportation Alliance
Environmental Defense Fund
New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) / Capital District Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CDCAT)
Citizen Regional Transportation Alliance

Sponsors:
Lamar Transit Advertising
Atlantic Detroit Deisel Allison
New Flyer of America Inc.
Nova Bus
Daimler Buses North America / BAE Systems
Bombardier Transportation
GTS, Inc./ I/O Controls
Shepard Bros., Inc.
The Braun Corporation
RouteMatch Software
USSC LLC/ 4 ONE LLC
Clever Devices
Cummins Northeast
Carrier Transicold
The Nevison Group Inc.

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The New York Public Transit Association has issued a position paper in response to the 2009 Executive Budget Proposal. NYPTA asks lawmakers to:

• Restore proposed budget cuts;
• Establish new, dedicated revenue sources, including:

  • An increase or surcharge added to the Petroleum Business Tax (PBT) to provide additional operating revenue for transit systems;

  • An increase in the Mortgage Recording Tax (MRT) for counties within districts of the four upstate regional systems;

  • Amending DERA to provide a waiver for buses within 36 months of their retirement/useful life, saving non-MTA transit properties $18.39 million - preserving 245,000 existing service hours; and

  • Propose an Environmental Bond Act to the voters which includes funding for alternative fuel buses and green facilities.
• Support the financial recommendations made by the Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Financing, commonly known as the Ravitch Commission, to finance the growing capital and operating needs of the MTA.

For a copy of NYPTA's position paper, please click here.

For a copy of NYPTA's budget testimony, please click here.

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