Senate Bill S5340

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S5340

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public authorities law, in
relation to requiring public notice and hearing prior to any planned
substantial change in service of the Rochester-Genesee regional trans-
portation authority

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow for public comment, and adequate notice thereof, prior to the
implementation of proposed changes in service; and to encourage public
input by passengers affected in the specific areas by holding hearings
and providing notice in the areas where proposed service changes take
place.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 defines substantial change in service as any change in
frequency of service or change in route, or complete or partial closing
of a passenger stop or route.
              

Section 2 part (a) requires that'the RGRTA shall hold a public hearing
or hearings in the affected areas at least thirty days prior to imple-
menting any substantial change in service.

Section 2 part (b) requires a public hearing or hearings to be held at
least thirty days prior to a substantial change, and that the RGRTA is
required to give at least thirty days notice prior to the hearing to
elected officials or equivalent in areas affected with detailed informa-
tion of the proposed changes. The meeting shall also be held at
locations in areas affected by the changes. This part also requires
posters not smaller than eleven by seventeen inches to be displayed on
buses and at bus stops operating on the affected route at least thirty
days prior to the public hearing or hearings with date, location and
time, details of the changes in service, and information on the public's
right to speak at the hearing. Part (c) requires the public hearing
notices to be placed at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe
County, as well as in any public library in any town or along any route
affected by the proposed change, as well as in any town or city hall and
any post offices located in the towns or zip codes affected by the
proposed change. Part (d) states that all notices in this section shall
be in addition to any other notices required by law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The RGRTA serves as the main method of transportation for a significant
number of Rochester area residents. A substantial change in service
imposes a burden on passengers that depend on this service to get
through their everyday lives.

Because the RGRTA provides a public service, the public ha6"a right to
express their input on any bus service change that may affect them. In
order for the public to voice their opinion effectively, they must be
provided with detailed information on the substantial change within a
timely manner and provided with a forum to express their concerns within
enough time to have an impact on any decisions made regarding substan-
tial changes in service.

Current regulations require only minimal effort by authorities to inform
the public about changes in services and of their right to speak at
upcoming hearings. This legislation provides new requirements that are
necessary in order to protect the public's interest in having a voice in
their transportation options.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A6765-A of 2007-08: Passed Assembly;
A.2026 of 2009: referred to referred to corporations, authorities and
commissions;
A6754 of 2011: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions;
A669 of 2013: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions;
A2935 of 2015-16: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions;
A2162 of 2017-18: referred to corporations, authorities, and commissions

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.