Invest in Transit. Keep New York Moving!

On March 1st, riders, labor, business and transit agencies from throughout the state, including the MTA, upstate authorities and small urban and rural transit, came together in Albany today in a strong show of support for funding public transit.

"Public Transportation is critically important to New York's quality of life and the economic viability of the State. If we are to recover from the ‘Great Recession,' New York State will need to invest, not divest, in public transportation. Over the past two years, riders across the State have suffered through fare increases and service reductions due to inadequate transit system funding at a time when they need affordable public transportation more than ever," said Frank Kobliski, NYPTA President.

The 2010-11 Executive Budget proposes a funding cut of over $12.5 million to downstate suburban and upstate transit systems, and it does not provide the MTA with the state resources expected and needed to insure a balanced budget. This, coupled with the loss of over $155 million in transit support in 2009, has put New York State's transit industry in crisis mode.

Click the Read More link below for more information on Transit Awareness Day.

"Simply put - the lack of operating funds for transit systems has reached crisis level, a crisis which translates into leaving workers, the poor and elderly citizens of the state unable to find transportation to work, doctors' offices, pharmacies, grocery stores and other critical destinations that are part and parcel of these citizen's lives," Kobliski explained.

"Failure to restore the proposed cuts to transit and provide increased aid for transit operating and capital needs can only have negative economic impacts that could easily exceed the purported savings. These cuts will not only devastate transit systems, their employees and the New York-based manufacturers and suppliers they contract with - they will severely limit mobility options and quality of life for all New Yorkers," Kobliski said.

The public transit industry is asking legislators to, among other things, restore proposed cuts, enhance MRT (Mortgage Recording Tax) revenue, establish a commission to address the statewide STOA (State Transit Operating Assistance) crisis and provide DERA (Diesel Emissions Reduction Act) waivers. Transit Awareness Day participants included the New York Public Transit Association, ATU Local 1321, ATU Local 1342, Capital Region Transit Advocates, 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.

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