What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to hold public hearings in each affected county before implementing fare increases or major service changes.
Why it matters
Increases local accountability. By mandating hearings in every affected county, the bill ensures that residents in all impacted areas have a direct forum to voice concerns, potentially leading to more equitable decisions and less overlooked regional impacts.
Limits exceptions to truly temporary or minor changes. The bill carves out exceptions only for routine, short-term adjustments (like seasonal or emergency changes), meaning substantial fare hikes or service cuts can’t be pushed through without public input.
May slow down or complicate large-scale changes. Requiring separate hearings in each county could lengthen the timeline and increase the complexity for the MTA when pursuing system-wide fare increases or major service changes, possibly leading to more cautious policymaking.
Strengthens transparency and public trust. By formalizing this process in law, the bill aims to make MTA decision-making more transparent and responsive, which could help rebuild public trust in transit governance.
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Who cares
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The bill would require hearings in each affected county for proposed fare increases, major transportation reductions or major service changes, limited to one hearing per calendar day.
MTA riders in affected counties
The bill would require a hearing in their county on covered fare and service proposals.
MTA maintenance and emergency operations staff
Temporary changes for routine maintenance or emergencies would be exempt from the new hearing requirements, as would standard seasonal or holiday adjustments.
Headline styles
Require Local Transit Hearings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to infrastructure and capital investment
- Referred to infrastructure and capital investment
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.
Require County-Level MTA Hearings
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4152
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 3, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PHILLIPS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Infrastructure and Capital Investment
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requirements for metropolitan transportation authority hearings for proposed fare increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service changes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1263 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. (a) The authority shall hold hearings in each county affected by proposed fare increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service changes.
(b) The hearing requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall not apply to standard seasonal or holiday adjustments, temporary changes due to routine maintenance and/or temporary changes in response to emergency situations.
(c) The authority shall hold a hearing in each county of a service area that is affected by the proposed change or changes in fares or services, provided that such hearings be limited to one hearing per calendar day.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04613-01-7
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 requirements for metropolitan transportation authority hearings for proposed fare increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service changes
Purpose
Requires the MTA to hold hearings regarding changes in fares or service in each county and to limit the number of hearings per day to one.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends section 1263 of the public authorities law by adding a new subdivision 10 to provide that the MTA shall hold hearings in each county affected by proposed fare increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service changes and shall limit the number of hearings to one per calendar day. This requirement shall not apply to temporary or holiday service changes.
Sections two sets the effective date.
Justification
During a recent round of public comment hearings regarding fare increases and service cuts, the MTA held nine forums simultaneously in different areas of the MTA region, inhibiting commuters access to information and their ability to publicly comment on the proposals in three of the MTA regions affected by these increases and/or service cuts. Holding multiple hearings on a single day also inhibits the members of the MTA board from attending hearings in the regions they were appointed to represent.
This legislation would require the MTA to hold a public hearing in each county affected by a proposed fare increase or major change in service and limit the number of hearings to one per calendar day. These changes will ensure that the public will have the ability to comment on proposed changes to the cost of and level of service that the MTA provides them. They will also ensure that board members appointed to represent the public are able to assess the impact that such proposals will have on their everyday lives.
Legislative history
:
2016: Transportation Committee (S.216) - Passed Senate 43-18 2014: Transportation Committee (S.6399) 2013: Vetoed by Governor (S.776/A.31) Memo 239 2012: Rules Committee/Passed Assembly (S.7372/A.1726A)
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.