Provides that elementary and secondary school teachers may ride public transportation to and from school at no charge

BILL NUMBER:S661

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to enabling elementary and secondary school teachers to use public transportation to ride to and from school at no charge

Purpose or general idea of bill

To allow elementary and secondary school teachers to ride public transportation to and from school at no charge.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one amends the education law by adding a new section 3036. This section allows elementary and secondary school teachers to ride public transportation free of charge on one round-trip to and from school on any workday. The bill also provides that each school district shall provide suitable identification to enable teachers to use the benefits provided under this bill.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

Currently, all riders must pay subway or bus fares. Failure to pay constitutes theft of services as defined in the penal law section 165.15(3).

Justification

Teachers in New York state currently must travel to and from school each weekday during the school year. Those who travel by means of public transportation are not eligible for fare reductions or discounts. Students are eligible for bus passes and reduced fares but the teachers who instruct them must pay for each ride on public transportation. Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers must be a priority if New York state is to provide students at all academic levels with a quality education. Further, a highly educated workforce is one way to encourage employers to locate in New York rather than another state. Governor Pataki has proposed a number of financial incentives designed to attract new teachers and retain current personnel. These initiatives include: tuition reimbursement, fellowships, stipends and recruitment scholarships. While this bill is modest by comparison it does represent an attempt to alleviate one financial disadvantage faced by teachers in New York state. In addition, providing elementary and secondary school-teachers with free fares will encourage more use of public transportation which will result in less air and noise pollution and reduce traffic congestion in urban areas of our state.

Legislative history

S.2494 of 2008 01/09/08 REFERRED TO EDUCATION S.1619 of 2011 01/10/11 REFERRED TO EDUCATION 01/04/12 REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Unknown at present time.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first day of the calendar month next succeeding the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.