Senate Bill S2745

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S2745

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to allowing two
automatic free transfers for riders using pay-per-ride Metrocards

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To ensure that riders of the MTA mass-transit system do not incur extra
costs due to recent cuts in service.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the public authorities law by adding a new subdivision,
3-b to establish a "two free transfers policy," provided the authority
shall not pay any costs related to the policy from its operating or
capital budgets and may only implement the policy with funds appropri-
ated by the state.  The two free transfers policy would require two
automatic free transfers be applied to each paid fare or rate and remain
valid for two hours from the time the fare is purchased, between the
              

buses that are owned and operated by the authority. This transfer policy
may be amended from time to time. Section 2 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, upon purchasing a pay-per-ride MetroCard, the rider is
allowed one automatic free transfer per fare.  Unfortunately, due to
recent cutbacks in services and the outright elimination of various bus
and subway lines, some riders now must purchase two fares to make their
daily commute. Essentially the MTA has imposed new fares on riders who
have enough trouble paying for one fare. The burden shouldn't be passed,
on to riders in these affected areas. This bill would ensure, contingent
upon funds appropriated by the state, that no commuter or rider suffers
due to cutbacks in service that already add time and stress to a
commute.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20 - A.2481-A - Referred to Ways and Means / S.2779-A - PASSED
SENATE 2018- A.9627 - Veto Memo No. 363 of

2018/S.7862 - Veto Memo No. 363 of 2018

2017- A.3439 - Veto Memo No. 249 of 2017/S.2560 - Veto Memo No. 249 of
2017

2015-16- A.2607 - Veto Memo No. 254 of 2015/S.3228 - Veto Memo No.  254
of 2015

2013-14- A.367-A- Referred to Ways and Means/S.2092-A- Passed Senate

2011-12- A.4855- Referred to Ways and Means/S.3839- Referred to Trans-
portation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.