BILL NUMBER: S8478
SPONSOR: BASKIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the transportation law, the highway law and the public
authorities law, in relation to requiring street pricing for pre-pack-
aged food and beverage items sold by vendors at certain transportation
facilities and on toll roads
 
PURPOSE:
To protect consumers from inflated prices by requiring vendors at state-
operated facilities, travel plazas, and toll roads to adopt a fair
street pricing model that aligns with local market rates, promotes
affordability, and ensures transparency and accountability in publicly
accessible spaces.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one sets forth the legislative findings and intent.
Section two adds a new section 24 to the Transportation law to define
"street pricing" and require that all vendors operating in state-operat-
ed or state-leased transportation facilities, such as airports, train
stations, and bus terminals, sell pre-packaged food and beverages at
prices comparable to those offered by similar vendors within a reason-
able radius. It authorizes the commissioner to establish rules and regu-
lations for enforcement and provides civil penalties for non-compliance.
Section three adds a new section 20 to the Highway law, extending the
same street pricing requirement to vendors operating on any state-owned
or state-leased toll roads, including service plazas and rest stops.
Section four adds a new Section 390 to the Public Authorities Law,
applying the street pricing standard to all third-party vendors and
concessionaires operating in service areas maintained or operated by a
public authority.
Section four sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New Yorkers traveling through airports, train stations, bus terminals,
and toll road service areas are often charged inflated prices for basic
pre-packaged food and beverage items. These high markups create an
unfair marketplace, especially for working and middle income travelers
who rely on these facilities as part of their daily lives or long-dis-
tance trips.
Even though these vendors operate in publicly owned or leased spaces,
their prices often exceed those found just a few miles away. This prac-
tice puts an unnecessary burden on travelers who may already be facing
high transportation costs and limited alternatives, particularly in
captive settings where food and beverage options are limited.
This bill addresses these inequities by requiring vendors in state-oper-
ated transit hubs and along toll roads to follow a street pricing model.
Under this approach, prices must be comparable to those charged by the
same or similar vendors outside the transportation facility, within a
reasonable geographic radius. This bill provides clear definitions,
establishes enforcement mechanisms and allows for penalties to ensure
compliance. The idea of fair pricing in high-traffic venues is already
working in the United States. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta,
concession prices were lowered to reflect everyday market rates, result-
ing in increased customer satisfaction and sustained business perform-
ance. That model shows alignment between affordability and profitabil-
ity.
As the cost of living continues to rise, public infrastructure and trav-
el plazas should not be a places where travelers are consistently over-
charged. This bill helps restore fairness and accountability in spaces
that serve the public, ensuring that everyone can access basic necessi-
ties at reasonable prices while on the move.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioners and
relevant agencies are authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations
necessary for its implementation.

Statutes affected:
S8478: twenty-four transportation law