What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to allow pay-per-ride Metrocard users at least two free transfers within two hours of fare payment.
Why it matters
Expands transfer benefits for pay-per-ride Metrocard users. By mandating at least two free transfers within a two-hour window, the bill helps riders who need to use more than one bus or subway to complete their journey, making travel more flexible and affordable.
Addresses transit equity. Many lower-income and outer-borough riders rely on multiple transfers due to fewer direct routes. This policy could help reduce the financial burden on those who must make complex commutes.
Encourages public transit use. Making transfers more generous may incentivize more people to use public transportation for multi-leg trips, potentially reducing car traffic and supporting environmental goals.
Limits financial impact to the transit authority. By specifying a two-hour window and only for pay-per-ride Metrocards, the bill balances improved rider benefits with some built-in limitations to manage potential revenue loss for the MTA.
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Who cares
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Add Free Metrocard Transfer
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A3439
- Ordered to third reading cal.1780
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to transportation
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
Vetoed · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2560
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
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.
LBD06030-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to allowing two automatic free transfers for riders using pay-per-ride Metrocards
Purpose
To ensure that riders of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority mass-transit system do not incur extra costs due to recent cuts in service.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of this bill amends section 1266 of the Public Authorities Law by adding a new subdivision (3-b) that requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to automatically apply two free transfers to each paid fare or rate and be valid for two hours from the time the fare is purchased. These transfers can used to transfer between subways and the buses that are owned and operated by the MTA as well as transfers between the MTA's buses. This transfer policy may be amended from time to time.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Current law
Currently, holders of unlimited ride MetroCards have unlimited transfers. Holders of pay-per-ride MetroCards receive only 1 free transfer.
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 avoidable burden caused by these cutbacks, which is the additional financial burden, should not be passed on to riders in these affected areas. This bill would ensure that no commuter or rider financially suffers due to cutbacks in service that already add time and stress to a commute.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.6484 - Referred to Transportation 2015: S.3228 - Vetoed, Memo 254 2014: S.2092-A - Passed the Senate 2013: S.2092 - Referred to Transportation 2011-12: S.3839- Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None to the State
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.