What's happening
This bill requires public notice and hearings before any major service changes to the Rochester-Genesee regional transportation authority.
Why it matters
Defines what counts as a "substantial change". including changes in service frequency, alterations to routes, or full/partial elimination of stops—so the public clearly knows when the law’s protections are triggered.
Requires public hearings in accessible locations. for anyone affected by proposed service changes, ensuring that those most impacted have the chance to voice concerns or support before decisions are finalized.
Mandates detailed and widespread advance notice. not just to local government officials, but also through visible posters on buses, at bus stops, in libraries, and in town/city halls—making it harder for major changes to happen without the public knowing.
Expands transparency and accountability. for the regional transportation authority, giving riders and communities formal input into decisions that could significantly affect their mobility, commutes, and access to essential services.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Public Input for Service Cuts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred 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.
Require Notice for Service Changes
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Harry B. Bronson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5340
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 26, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- 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 requiring public notice and hearing prior to any planned substantial change in service of the Rochester-Genesee regional transportation authority
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 1299-hhh to read as follows:
§ 1299-hhh. Public hearings and notice. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term substantial change in service shall be defined as any change in frequency of service or change in route, or complete or partial closing of a passenger stop or route.
2. (a) A public hearing or hearings shall be held at least thirty days prior to any substantial change at one or more locations conveniently accessible to the persons who would be affected by such change in service.
(b) At least thirty days prior to the public hearing or hearings, the authority shall give notice to the elected town board members or equivalent in areas affected by route changes and shall provide detailed information on the proposed service changes. In addition, the authority shall display posters in a form not smaller than eleven inches by seventeen inches on buses and at bus stops operating on the affected route at least thirty days prior to the public hearing or hearings. Such posters shall describe the proposed service change in detail and shall provide the date, time and location of the public hearing or hearings and shall state that the proposed service change shall be open to discussion and that members of the public shall have the right to speak at the hearing.
(c) Public hearing notices shall also be placed at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe county, as well as in any public library in any
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04598-01-9
S. 5340 2
town or on any route affected by the change, and in the town or city hall of the areas affected by the change.
(d) All notices in this section shall be in addition to any other notices required by law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 requiring public notice and hearing prior to any planned substantial change in service of the Rochester-Genesee regional trans- portation authority
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow for public comment, and adequate notice thereof, prior to the implementation of proposed changes in service; and to encourage public input by passengers affected in the specific areas by holding hearings and providing notice in the areas where proposed service changes take place.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 defines substantial change in service as any change in frequency of service or change in route, or complete or partial closing of a passenger stop or route.
Read the full memo (608 words)
Section 2 part (a) requires that'the RGRTA shall hold a public hearing or hearings in the affected areas at least thirty days prior to imple- menting any substantial change in service.
Section 2 part (b) requires a public hearing or hearings to be held at least thirty days prior to a substantial change, and that the RGRTA is required to give at least thirty days notice prior to the hearing to elected officials or equivalent in areas affected with detailed informa- tion of the proposed changes. The meeting shall also be held at locations in areas affected by the changes. This part also requires posters not smaller than eleven by seventeen inches to be displayed on buses and at bus stops operating on the affected route at least thirty days prior to the public hearing or hearings with date, location and time, details of the changes in service, and information on the public's right to speak at the hearing. Part (c) requires the public hearing notices to be placed at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, as well as in any public library in any town or along any route affected by the proposed change, as well as in any town or city hall and any post offices located in the towns or zip codes affected by the proposed change. Part (d) states that all notices in this section shall be in addition to any other notices required by law.
Justification
The RGRTA serves as the main method of transportation for a significant number of Rochester area residents. A substantial change in service imposes a burden on passengers that depend on this service to get through their everyday lives.
Because the RGRTA provides a public service, the public ha6"a right to express their input on any bus service change that may affect them. In order for the public to voice their opinion effectively, they must be provided with detailed information on the substantial change within a timely manner and provided with a forum to express their concerns within enough time to have an impact on any decisions made regarding substan- tial changes in service.
Current regulations require only minimal effort by authorities to inform the public about changes in services and of their right to speak at upcoming hearings. This legislation provides new requirements that are necessary in order to protect the public's interest in having a voice in their transportation options.
Prior legislative history
A6765-A of 2007-08: Passed Assembly; A.2026 of 2009: referred to referred to corporations, authorities and commissions; A6754 of 2011: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions; A669 of 2013: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions; A2935 of 2015-16: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions; A2162 of 2017-18: referred to corporations, authorities, and commissions
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.