What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to allow two free transfers within two hours for pay-per-ride Metrocard users.
Why it matters
Improves affordability for pay-per-ride Metrocard users. By allowing two free transfers within two hours, the bill reduces the cost of trips that require multiple transfers, making public transit more accessible to lower-income riders who do not use unlimited cards.
Supports multi-borough and cross-neighborhood commutes. Many New Yorkers, especially those in outer boroughs or transit deserts, often require more than one transfer to reach their destinations. This policy helps level the playing field for those with longer, more complex commutes.
Incentivizes public transit use over cars. Making transfers free and easier encourages more people to choose subways and buses for their full journey, potentially reducing congestion and pollution from car use.
Addresses equity by extending a benefit already available to unlimited Metrocard holders. Pay-per-ride users have historically gotten fewer transfer benefits than unlimited card users; this bill helps close that gap, promoting fairness in transit policy.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Free Metrocard Transfer
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
History
- Tabled
- Vetoed memo.249
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- 3rd reading cal.1780
- Substituted for S2560
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.407
- Reported
Show 2 earlier actions
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Add Free Metrocard Transfer
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Martin J. Golden
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3439
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, COLTON, TITONE, BENEDETTO, WEPRIN, ABINANTI, OTIS -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, AUBRY, GOTT- FRIED, HIKIND, MALLIOTAKIS, SALADINO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to allowing two automatic free transfers for riders using pay-per-ride Metrocards
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-b to read as follows:
3-b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority shall establish a fare transfer policy that may be amended from time to time. Such policy shall provide any person who pays a fare or rate with at least two transfers at no cost between any subway and bus, or between buses that are owned and operated by the authority. Such transfers shall be valid for two hours from the time such fare or rate is collected by the authority at a transit facility.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08703-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.