Improved mobility for riders and non-riders alike

• Access to jobs, health care, shopping and recreation for individuals of all ages and incomes
• Increased demand for public transit service in a down economy as agencies with tight budgets cut back on transportation expenses and individuals seek affordable transportation
• Congestion mitigation for commuters - public transportation takes cars off the road - 60 cars for a full bus, 12 cars for a full van and up to 200 cars for a full commuter rail car
• Improved productivity for truckers and delivery vehicles
• Enhancing mobility without the need to build more lane miles of roads - a single subway line can carry 30,000 passengers in one hour, eliminating the need for ten additional highway lanes

Positive economic development impact

• Improving employers' access to workers and labor markets - 70% of all transit trips are work trips
• Investing transit capital in New York State suppliers and manufacturers across the entire state
• Improving productivity and reducing lost time by mitigating traffic congestion

Air quality improvement

• Getting cleaner air by taking cars off the road - vehicle emissions account for half of air pollution nationwide
• Each gallon of gasoline burned emits 20 pounds of carbon dioxide
• Converting transit fleets to clean fuels will deliver an even bigger environmental impact

Energy conservation and independence

• Reducing New York's fuel consumption through public transit - a 20 mile commute on transit saves a gallon of gas per passenger
• Helping achieve energy independence for the United States
• Using mobility to mitigate congestion, improve traffic flow, and cut down on wasted fuel

Smart growth

• Discouraging sprawl by increasing the livability of urbanized areas
• Making better use of existing infrastructure
• Reducing congestion and improving the quality of life - a third of daily travel occurs under congested conditions, with a loss of free time for individuals to pursue personal interests

It is obvious that transit systems deliver a major return on the State's investment. And while these are difficult times, it is not the time to reduce the State's commitment to transit operating assistance. For the many reasons cited above, tough economic times suggest a heightened investment in public transportation because of the economic, environmental and energy benefits it delivers and the vital service it provides to New Yorkers of all ages and income groups.

For FYE 2010, New York's public transit systems are facing major cost pressures as they seek to maintain affordable service. In light of these circumstances, systems across the state are being forced to consider fare increases, service cuts, or both to balance budgets. The situation facing some of these transit systems is highlighted in the following pages.

Bottom Line: STOA Needs FYE 2010

According to data assembled through the 17-a process, non-MTA STOA will need to increase by $76.5 million ($36.4 million upstate and $36.1 million downstate) to allow public transportation to continue to operate effectively throughout the state. There are many factors driving operating budgets higher, but a closer look at just three items - fuel costs, mandated ADA paratransit services, and health benefits - illustrates the magnitude of the cost containment challenge:

Projected cost increases for FYE 2010:

Fuel                  $15.7 million
Paratransit     $6.5 million
Health              $5.7 million
Total                $27.9 million

The STOA expectations highlighted by the transit operators covered in the following system assessments often exceed the requests submitted through the 17-a process. Transit operators are continuing to respond to a deteriorating economy and increasing service demands as they prepare for the coming fiscal year. The need for STOA is rising in concert with the need for affordable mobility in difficult economic times.

For info on the fiscal situation for many of our states' transit agencies, click here.
For a copy of the MTA's proposed budget for 2009-2012, click here.

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