11/4/09 - Group lobbies for more upstate transit funding Print E-mail
Legislation

The following article, published yesterday in the Ithaca Journal, discusses the DOT's proposed Multiyear plan and includes NYPTA's response to it. Frank Kobliski is quoted as saying "The only way upstate and suburban transit systems can achieve the maximum benefit from the proposed capital plan is if we have the operating assistance to back it up," reinforcing the Association's stance on the proposed cuts. NYPTA's position paper can be downloaded here. We will continue to be an active voice in fighting for transit dollars. Please contact Association headquarters at 518-434-9060 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions regarding this important topic. Click the read more button to view the original article.

ithaca-journal

Group lobbies for more upstate transit funding


November 3, 2009

By Cara Matthews
Albany Bureau

ALBANY -- Transportation systems outside New York City need more than $225 million in additional funding each year to remain viable, and the state should raise the money by increasing certain fees and taxes, according to a New York transit group.

Upstate and suburban public-transit systems will need additional operating aid of more than $200 million a year to maintain affordable fares and viable service levels, said the report from the New York Public Transit Association, which represents public-transportation service providers, manufacturers, consultants and government agencies. They will need $130 million more in capital funds than the $340 million the state Department of Transportation has recommended over five years, it said.

"The only way upstate and suburban transit systems can achieve the maximum benefit from the proposed capital plan is if we have the operating assistance to back it up," said Frank Kobliski, president of the Public Transit Association, referring to the DOT's $25.8 billion overall five-year capital plan.

"New revenue options need to be explored for transit operating. What good is a new bus when we can't afford to hire anyone to drive it?" he said.

The association's report this week warned that upstate and suburban transit systems are at a "crisis level" due to a lack of adequate operating funds. In the past year, a number of transit systems have had to dramatically reduce routes and services, increase fares and manage increasingly older fleets, the report said.

The increase in ridership demand and fluctuating fuel costs have compounded the challenge of operating funds, the group said.

More than 1,000 buses in upstate public-transit fleets -- 25 percent -- have exceeded their recommended life under federal standards, and another 771 buses -- 19 percent -- will need to be replaced in the next five years, the group said.

But Gov. David Paterson balked last month at the DOT's proposed $25.8 billion five-year capital plan, saying it was too costly. It includes funding for highways, bridges, public transit, airports and other areas.

Paterson said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's $28 billion 2010-2014 plan also is unaffordable.

The proposals will be part of the 2010-11 budget process. The Senate Transportation Committee has held two public hearings on the DOT plan and two more are scheduled, including one in Albany Nov. 23. The Assembly is working out the details of public hearings on the plan, Transportation Committee Chairman David Gantt, D-Rochester, said Tuesday.

The state faces a current budget deficit of $3.2 billion, and revenues continue to fall below expectations because of the poor economy. Paterson's deficit-reduction plan calls for reducing operating aid for transportation programs by $125 million.

"Any group advocating for additional spending must identify equivalent program cuts or tax increases to pay for it," said Matt Anderson, a spokesman for Paterson's Division of Budget. "Otherwise, they are simply advocating for increasing the state's budget deficit and further weakening our already difficult fiscal position."

For operating revenue, the Public Transit Association is asking lawmakers and the governor to approve measures similar to ones that were implemented this year to fund the $2.25 billion MTA bailout. That included an employer payroll tax of 34 cents for every $100 of payroll and higher state Department of Motor Vehicle fees. Another recommendation from the group is to increase mortgage-recording taxes in upstate authority regions.

"To the extent that we're going to address transit concerns we ought to address all of them," said Bob Reid, the association's legislative counsel.

"We're a huge system outside of MTA and we're bigger than most other states," he said, adding that cutting more routes would not help the upstate economy.

On the capital spending side, the upstate transit system will need $470 million over five years, the group said, $130 million more than the DOT recommended. Under the current state budget, $235 million is available.

The association is recommending an increase in the petroleum business tax, motor fuel tax and DMV fees to address the capital needs of upstate and the MTA.

The Business Council of New York State was opposed to the employer payroll tax to help bail out the MTA and was concerned at the time there could be efforts to implement it statewide, said Heather Briccetti, vice president, government affairs for the organization.

"Adding new taxes to the upstate economy is not the way to go," she said.

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