Senate Bill S3818

                                BILL NUMBER:S3818

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the public authorities law, in relation to public authority
accountability and security

PURPOSE OF BILL:
This bill would require select public authorities, operating in the
County of Queens, to provide increased public accountability and
security.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Specifically, this bill would add a new section 2933 to the public
authorities law to provide: Any public authority which provides
surface bus transportation, or contracts for the provision of surface
bus transportation, in the County of Queens, shall:

1. In cooperation with the police Department of the City of New York,
perform a security audit of all its surface bus transportation routes
within the County of Queens, and shall make a report with
recommendations as to how it may provide for the increased safety and
security of its riders, to both the Senate and Assembly Standing
Committees on corporations Authorities and Commissions, on or before
March 15, 2013;
and
              

2. Develop a plan to increase routes and ridership of such surface bus
transportation provided within the County of Queens by January 15,
2015.

JUSTIFICATION:
There are few more pressing issues facing the citizens of New York
today than the safety, affordability and availability of
transportation. At this time of heightened public safety concerns,
and with ever escalating gas prices, it is imperative that safe,
convenient and affordable public transport be offered in the City of
New York. The County of Queens has historically been under served
with respect to these assets and needs to have them made available.

This bill would address this problem in two ways. First it would
require a security audit be performed with respect to improving the
public safety and security of surface bus transportation, and
secondly, it would increase the routes and ridership of such
transportation in the County of Queens. By so doing, this bill would
promote the improved safety, quality, affordability and availability
of public transportation in Queens, and provide for the increased
accountability and security of the
public authorities that operate the same.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None Noted.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.


EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.