Directs the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to establish a free bus fare program for students.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would introduce significant changes to the public transportation laws related to student access within the state. It would amend the existing public authorities law to ensure that a free bus fare program is mandated, thereby prioritizing student needs in transportation planning. The initiative is expected to encourage more students to use public transport, potentially increasing MTA ridership while providing essential support to those pursuing higher education. This could lead to long-term benefits in educational attainment and workforce preparedness among young adults.
Summary
Assembly Bill A09356 proposes an initiative for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to implement a free bus fare program specifically for full-time undergraduate students enrolled in accredited associates or bachelor's programs. This legislation aims to promote educational access by alleviating transportation costs for students, thus supporting their ability to attend classes without the added financial burden of commuting fees. The bill seeks to allow free use of bus services at any time the MTA operates its omnibus services, enhancing the convenience for students regardless of their class schedules.
Contention
While supporters tout the bill's potential to ease financial burdens on students, detractors may express concerns over the funding and feasibility of sustaining such a program. Critics might question how the MTA would absorb the cost of providing free fares on a large scale, raising issues about potential impacts on fare revenues and the overall budget of the authority. Moreover, the effectiveness of such initiatives in genuinely increasing public transport use among students could also be debated, reflecting broader tensions between educational funding and transportation policy.
Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to establish a city university of New York student fare program for trains and buses which provides a full fare reduction for five train and/or bus fares each weekday equal to the standard pay-per-ride fare.
Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to establish a city university of New York student fare program for trains and buses which provides a full fare reduction for five train and/or bus fares each weekday equal to the standard pay-per-ride fare.
Requires the metropolitan transit authority establish a thirty-day fare cap program which provides customers an unlimited pass for the month after paying a set amount of fares.
Requires the metropolitan transit authority establish a thirty-day fare cap program which provides customers an unlimited pass for the month after paying a set amount of fares.
Directs the metropolitan transportation authority, in consultation with the Long Island Rail Road, the New York city transit authority, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, to establish a no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road, the New York city transit authority, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for certain active duty, reserves, retired armed forces members, firefighters, and police officers.
Directs the metropolitan transportation authority, in consultation with the Long Island Rail Road, to establish a no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road for individuals in active military service of the United States and active duty members of the New York national guard, upon showing a military or national guard identification card.