BILL NUMBER: S6875
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to special
powers of the authority
 
PURPOSE:
Will allow riders travelling within city limits to pay a fare for commu-
ter rails equal to that of NYC Transit subways and buses, and to provide
a free transfer in the same manner.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends section 1266 of the public authorities law by adding a new subdi-
vision to accomplish the above stated purpose.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would equalize the fare for commuter rail stops within the
five boroughs to that of NYC Transit subways and busses. This would
remove the financial barrier hindering thousands of New York City resi-
dents from using the commuter rail system. The average New Yorker spends
6 hours and 20 minutes in transit per week. However, those who reside in
a two fare zone average 15 hours a week in transit from the city's main
business districts, an extreme commute as classified by the Census
Bureau.
This legislation would increase access to 40 Long Island Rail Road and
MetroNorth stations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens; and a
free transfer would promote connectivity within the MTA system. Equal-
izing the fare would reduce commute times to top business districts by
up to 7 and half hours a week.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S1214 Comrie/ A2938 Hyndman
2022: S3159
2015-16: S.7523/A.9818 / Referred to Transportation/Corporations.
2017-18: S.2150/A.10007 / Referred to Transportation/Corporations.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be Determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6875: 1266 public authorities law