What's happening
This bill prohibits paratransit fares from exceeding the base fare for non-disabled adult transit riders in New York.
Why it matters
Ensures equity and affordability. By capping paratransit fares at the same rate as the base fare for non-disabled adults, the bill aims to prevent people with disabilities from facing higher transportation costs simply because they require accessible services.
Addresses financial barriers for disabled riders. High paratransit costs can limit mobility and access to employment, education, and healthcare for people with disabilities; this cap could help reduce those barriers and promote greater independence.
Mandates consistent statewide policy. The bill would require all relevant New York transit authorities to comply, creating uniformity in fare policy and reducing confusion or disparities across different transit systems.
May impact transit agency funding and planning. By restricting the ability to charge higher fares for paratransit, transit authorities may need to find alternative funding sources or make operational adjustments to sustain paratransit services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cap Paratransit Fare Costs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2382
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the transportation law and the public authorities law, in relation to capping fares for paratransit transportation
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Clause (a) of subparagraph 4 of paragraph a of subdivision 5 of section 15-b of the transportation law, as added by chapter 498 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Fares, and other charges for paratransit transportation. In determining such fares and other charges the committee shall consider the nature of such services, the cost and expense of maintaining paratransit facilities in good condition and repair and the capital and operating expenses of the contractor. Fares for paratransit transportation shall be set at levels based on the criteria set forth in this section; provided that fares for paratransit transportation shall be set no higher than the base fares for transportation of non-disabled adults utilizing the transit system;
§ 2. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 15-a to read as follows:
15-a. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law or the terms of any contract, the authority shall not set fares for paratransit transportation higher than the base fares for transportation of non-disabled adults utilizing the transit system.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06936-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the transportation law and the public authorities law, in relation to capping fares for paratransit transportation
Purpose or general idea of bill
To ensure fares for paratransit transportation are set no higher than fares for transportation of non-disabled adults.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would establish the following provisions:
-Language added to clause (a) of subparagraph 4 of paragraph a of subdivision 5 of section 15-b of the transportation law to prevent paratransit fares from surpassing base fares for transportation of non-disabled adults.
-Language added to section 1266 of public authorities law providing this same fare limitation
-Act taking effect immediately.
Justification
Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the provision of transportation services.. Authorization of transit fares for people with disabilities at a level higher than those for nondisabled citizens is discriminatory. To prevent this practice, when the MTA began operating its paratransit service. Access-A-Ride, the federal government entered into a memorandum or understanding with the MTA including an agreement never to impose a fare for paratransit riders at a rate higher than the regular fare charged to non-disabled riders. Despite this, in its 200910 proposed budget, the MTA proposed to raise the fare for paratransit above the fare for regular users. This legislation clarifies the principle of non-discrimination.
Prior legislative history
2009: S.2933 (Duane) Died in Finance; A.6489 (Kellner) Died in Ways & Means - 2010: S.2933- (Duane) PaSbed Henate; A.6489 (Kellner) Died in Ways & Means 2015-2016: Referred to transportation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.