What's happening
This bill requires discounted bridge and tunnel tokens for seniors age 60 and older, providing 50% off fares and exemption from surcharges.
Why it matters
Helps Seniors on Fixed Incomes. By requiring a 50% discount on bridge and tunnel fares for those age 60 and older, the bill directly reduces transportation costs for seniors, who often live on fixed or limited incomes.
Exempts Seniors from Surcharges. The legislation not only reduces the base fare but also permanently exempts eligible seniors from any added surcharges, offering more comprehensive financial relief than a simple fare discount.
Guarantees Senior Discounts Even with Other Offers. The bill ensures that the senior discount is applied after any other available discounts, maximizing the benefit for seniors who might qualify for multiple fare reductions.
Standardizes Application and Access. By directing the authority to regulate how seniors apply for and receive these discounted tokens or payment devices, it aims to create a clear, official process and potentially reduce confusion or barriers to access.
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Who cares
Bridge and tunnel users age 60 and older
The bill would require discounted tokens or other payment devices providing a 50% toll reduction after other legally available discounts, plus a permanent exemption from surcharges.
The bridge and tunnel authority
The authority would have to offer the discounted payment devices and set application requirements, subject to agreements with noteholders and bondholders.
Authority noteholders and bondholders
The bill would make the senior discount program subject to their agreements with the authority.
Headline styles
Bridge Discounts for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Committee discharged and committed to transportation
- Referred to aging
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.
Half-Price Tolls for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3534
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to discounted bridge and tunnel tokens issued to senior citizens
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 553-j to read as follows:
§ 553-j. Senior citizen discount tokens. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, but subject to agreements with noteholders and bondholders, the authority shall offer for sale to senior citizens age sixty years or older, tokens or other payment devices, and may, except as otherwise provided in this section, regulate the use thereof. Such tokens or other payment devices shall entitle senior citizens to crossings over the bridges and tunnels operated by the authority at a reduced cost of fifty percent of the regular fare or toll imposed. Such senior citizen discount shall be applied after any and all other discounts that the senior citizen may be legally entitled to by law have been applied. In the event the authority shall impose a surcharge in addition to the regular toll for crossings over such bridges and tunnels, such surcharge shall not be deemed a part of the regular crossing fare for purposes of this section and the tokens or other payment devices offered for sale to senior citizens as herein provided shall also entitle the purchaser to a permanent exemption from the payment of any surcharge. Application for such tokens or other payment devices shall be made in such manner as prescribed by the authority and shall contain such information as the authority may reasonably require.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00312-01-7
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 discounted bridge and tunnel tokens issued to senior citizens
Purpose or general idea of bill
To give senior citizens a fifty-percent discount for bridge and tunnel tolls.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends the public authorities law by adding a new section 553-j to require the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to offer 50% discount bridge and tunnel tokens or other payment devices to senior citizens.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Senior citizens, many of which are living on fixed incomes, have worked hard all their lives. The recent downturn in the economy has placed a heavy financial burden on them. Their incomes cannot keep pace with today's rising cost of living. It is getting more difficult for seniors to make ends meet with higher utility, food and other costs. Seniors also spend a disproportionate amount of their income on doctor bills and prescription drugs. Many have seen their life savings dwindle with the downturn in the stock market as well. This legislation recognizes the hardships that many seniors face today. It will assist them by reducing the cost of bridge and tunnel tolls by 50%.
Prior legislative history
2017: S.3534 - Referred to Transportation / A.3587 - Referred to Corpo- rations, Authorities and Commissions 2016: S.2908 - Referred to Transportation / A.4475 - Referred to Corpo- rations, Authorities and Commissions 2013: S.4138 - Died in Transportation / A.6197 - Died in Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2012: S.5907 - Referred to Transportation / A.10429 - Referred to Corpo- rations Authorities and Commissions 2011: S.5907 - Referred to Rules 2009: S.6238 - Referred to Transportation 2008: S.6238 - Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Undetermined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.