What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to allow two free transfers within two hours for pay-per-ride Metrocard users, funded by state appropriations.
Why it matters
Addresses equity and affordability. By enabling two free transfers for pay-per-ride Metrocard users, the bill helps lower-income or infrequent riders who may not benefit from unlimited passes, making commuting more affordable and accessible.
Expands flexibility for transit riders. The additional transfer allows for more complex or indirect trips—such as multi-bus or bus-subway-bus routes—without extra cost, supporting those with longer or less straightforward commutes.
Limits impact on MTA budget. The bill specifies that funding for the expanded transfer policy must come from state appropriations, not the MTA’s own operating or capital budgets, aiming to prevent further financial strain on the transit authority and potentially requiring state prioritization of transit funding.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Extra Free Metro Transfers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–2
- Ordered to third reading cal.1290
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 2779a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- 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 Extra Metrocard Transfer
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2779--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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 "two free transfers policy", provided, however, the authority shall not pay any costs or expenses related to the two free transfers policy from its operating or capital budgets and may only implement the two free transfers policy with funds appropriated to it by the state of New York for such purpose. The two free transfers policy may be amended from time to time. Such policy shall provide any person who pays for a single fare or rate with at least two automatic free transfers at no additional 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.
LBD01330-03-9
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 allowing two automatic free transfers for riders using pay-per-ride Metrocards
Purpose or general idea of bill
To ensure that riders of the MTA mass-transit system do not incur extra costs due to recent cuts in service.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends the public authorities law by adding a new subdivision, 3-b to establish a "two free transfers policy," provided the authority shall not pay any costs related to the policy from its operating or capital budgets and may only implement the policy with funds appropri- ated by the state. The two free transfers policy would require two auto- matic free transfers be applied to each paid fare or rate and remain valid for two hours from the time the fare is purchased, between the buses that are owned and operated by the authority. This transfer policy may be amended from time to time.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
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 burden shouldn't be passed on to riders in these affected areas. This bill would ensure, contingent upon funds appropriated by the state, that no commuter or rider suffers due to cutbacks in service that already add time and stress to a commute.
Prior legislative history
2018- A.9627- Veto Memo No. 363 of2108/S.7862- Veto Memo No. 363 of 2018
2017- A.3439- Veto Memo No. 249 of2017/S.2560- Veto Memo No. 249 of 2017
2015-16- A.2607 -Veto Memo No. 254 of 2015/S.3228 - Veto Memo No.254 of 2015
2013-14- A.367-A-Referred to Ways and Means/S.2092-A- Passed Senate
2011-12- A.4855-Referred to Ways and Means/S.3839- Referred to Transpor- tation
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
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.