BILL NUMBER: S5120
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to one-way,
round trip or multi-trip tickets and tickets purchased after boarding
the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company
 
PURPOSE:
To ensure the validity of any one-way, round-trip or multi-trip ticket,
not purchased for a specific month or unlimited travel, for one year
from date of purchase and, additionally, to ensure full reimbursement
for returned tickets without additional surcharges, intended for tickets
purchased, for use on the Long Island Rail Road or the Metro-North
Commuter Railroad Company.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1266-j.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Frequent train passengers, who preplan and purchase an extra ticket for
future train rides, run the risk of their investments being invalid
after a short period of time. A one-way ticket is valid for 90 days,
however after 90 days the policy in place does not have the option of
reimbursement. This legislation provides an extension to the expiration
date of purchased tickets to one year and, additionally, it requires
full reimbursement of tickets at its original value without additional
fees. Currently there is a processing fee of $10 per transaction.
This legislation would provide relief for riders who present an off-peak
ticket or other ticket which must, in MTA parlance, be "stepped up".
Formerly the customer was charged the difference in the fare rounded up
to the next dollar. This legislation will round it up the next $.25.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2014: A.8806-A; S.2088-A (Weisenberg/Martins)
2015: A.7385 (Kaminsky)
2017: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
2018: referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
2018: held for consideration in corporations, authorities and commis-
sions
2021-2022: S5534
2023-2024: S5585 Comrie/ A1268 Brown E
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.