BILL NUMBER: S7487
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to modernizing
the access-a-ride program's application process
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would create an online application process for Acces-
sA-Ride, the paratransit service under Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA) which provides public transportation for those who qual-
ify under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It would also
create a new notification system which would include an option for email
correspondence, rather than only traditional mail.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends Section 1266 of the public authorities law by adding
a new subdivision 20 which details in (a) the new application process
and in (b) the new notification system the MTA must enact for Access-AR-
ide within one year of the effective date.
Section two provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The current application process for Access-A-Ride is outdated, uses
inconvenient methods, and employs an inefficient scheduling process.
Despite several states beginning to use online application processes,
New York still maintains the same application process it has had since
1990. This adversely affects disabled individuals as it prevents them
from having easy access to Access-A-Ride and causes them undue stress.
By updating the application process for Access-ARide, there will be less
instances of missed appointments, less time taken to process applica-
tions, and increased communication.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S7487: 1266 public authorities law