What's happening
This bill requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to offer half-fare rates to veterans residing in New York State.
Why it matters
Expands access to discounted transit. By including veterans in the half-fare program, the bill directly reduces transportation costs for a significant and often financially vulnerable population, making it easier for veterans to access jobs, healthcare, and other essential services.
Defines clear eligibility criteria. The bill specifies that only veterans who are New York State residents, honorably discharged, and able to provide authorized identification qualify—ensuring the benefit goes to those with a real and verifiable connection to the state and military service.
Demonstrates state recognition of veterans’ service. This measure is a tangible acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by veterans, offering meaningful daily support rather than symbolic gestures or one-time benefits.
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Who cares
New York veterans
The bill would extend half fares to veterans who meet its discharge, identification, citizenship or permanent-residency, and state-residency requirements.
MTA and its subsidiary corporations
They would be required to expand their half-fare program to include qualifying veterans.
Veterans’ advocates
The bill would create a transit discount for eligible veterans, with an authorized veteran identification card required to qualify.
Headline styles
Half Fare Transit for Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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
1318
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
Introduced by Sens. SERINO, FELDER, SEPULVEDA -- 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 a half fare rate program in the metropolitan transportation authority for veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 16 of section 1266 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 25 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
16. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority and any of its subsidiary corporations shall establish and implement a half fare rate program for, (a) persons with serious mental illness who are eligible to receive supplemental security income benefits as defined pursuant to title sixteen of the federal social security act and section two hundred nine of the social services law, and (b) veterans. For purposes of this subdivision "veteran" shall mean a member of the armed forces of the United States who served and was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from such service, and presents an authorized veteran identification card, and who is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States and who is a resident of the state of New York at the time of application for the half fare rate program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00716-02-9
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 a half fare rate program in the metropolitan transportation authority for veterans
Purpose
This bill would authorize the metropolitan transportation authority (MTA) and any of its subsidiary corporations to establish and implement a half fare rate for veterans.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Authorizes the MTA and its subsidiary corporations which include Metro-North and the Long Island Railroad to establish and imple- ment a half fare rate for veterans.
Section 2: Establishes the immediate effective date.
Existing law
Currently the MTA provides Reduced-Fare MetroCard discounts to those who are 65 years of age or older or have a qualifying disability
Justification
Those who serve our country in the armed forces deserve not only our respect, but our gratitude for the sacrifices and risks that they are willing to take to preserve our freedoms. Veterans should be entitled to certain benefits that express that gratitude for their service. This bill would provide a half fare program for New York State residents who have served as a member of our armed forces. New York has one of highest veteran populations in the country with a strong concentration of resi- dents in the MTA region. However, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, our state has lost almost between 30 and 35% of our veteran population between 2000-2015, which in part can be attributed to-the state's high cost of living, particularly in the MTA region. By making the MTA region more affordable to live and travel in, we hope to keep veterans in our state.
The MTA has established a half fare program for those with a serious mental illness and this would expand that program to those who should be recognized for their service to our country.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.2164 Passed Senate/Advanced to Third Reading 2015-16: S.5545-A Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
Nominal fiscal implication to the MTA.
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.