The State Legislature has passed the final version of the State Budget, which came in just under the level proposed in the Executive Budget (just over $121 billion). Prior to final passage, the Senate and Assembly began passing portions of the 2008-09 State Budget, including the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Protection appropriation and policy bills.

Below please find a summary of budget items that have impacted public transit:

Transit Funding

Thanks to a multi-faceted advocacy campaign coordinated by NYPTA members and Weingarten, Reid and McNally, the total operating assistance included in the budget is just over $2.96 billion, a 4.36% increase over last year despite a 2% cut across the board in operating for transit systems. Additionally, we were successful in securing an increase in Upstate transit funding for every Upstate system bringing the total for upstate operating to over $177 million, which is a 6.95% increase over last year, with the Legislature agreeing to restore and enhance funding for CDTA and R-GRTA through the Additional Mass Transportation Assistance Program.  Unfortunately, both Rockland County transit and downstate non-specified systems (formula) received no increase over last year and subsequently bore the full 2% cut in operating aid.

Additional Funding (CST and Capital)

In addition to the appropriations included in the Transportation budget, the Education, Labor and Family Assistance Budget Bill included three separate appropriations for Upstate transportation services:

• $2.2 million in transportation funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provided to social services districts and accessible to public transit operators.
• $125,000 to CENTRO of Oneida and $2 million to R-GRTA for the implementation of programs, or additional transportation services to eligible individuals and families, for the purposes of transportation to and from employment of other allowable work activities.
• $5 million in capital costs for multi-modal projects which are designated as part of the multi-modal program, in accordance with a plan to be developed by the Division of Budget in consultation with the Senate Majority Leader.

Article VII Bills

The Legislature has rejected the Article VII proposal included in the Executive Budget to require upstate systems to enter into procurement consortiums in order to receive the maximum State grant available through the State Omnibus and capital program.  The Legislature also rejected any proposals regarding the New York City traffic mitigation proposal, which now no longer qualifies for the federal money that was required for implementation.

Revenue Adjustments 

In order to sustain upstate transit funding, the final budget includes a $23 million MTOAF transfer from the downstate account (MMTOA), and a $19 million transfer from the General Fund, to the upstate account (PTOA).

We would like to thank NYPTA for their grassroots advocacy during these past few weeks and months.  We look forward to working with NYPTA this coming year to ensure another successful budget for New York Transit.

If you would like to know more about any other area of the budget, or if you have any questions or need assistance, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and/or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 518-465-7330.