§ 73-b. Legislative findings and purposes. The legislature hereby
finds, determines, and declares that:

1. the inability of persons in rural areas to access public or private
transportation services often is detrimental to the public health,
safety and general welfare because such persons are thereby unable to
receive regular medical care and public services, do shopping,
participate in specialized recreation and education programs, and obtain
employment;

2. the number and proportion of persons without access to essential
transportation services in rural environs is alarmingly high and could
increase in the future, thereby further increasing the demand for
specialized transportation services in said areas;

3. added social burdens frequently fall upon state and local
governments because of involuntary isolation of individuals and families
in rural areas who are unable to obtain employment, public services,
health care, educational or other essential human services;

4. lack of a comprehensive state policy to promote the development of
coordinated public transportation services in the state's rural regions
has inhibited the formation of such services, thereby contributing to a
great disparity in the nature and levels of transportation services
available in said rural areas and the inefficient use of many existing
transportation resources;

5. such unique rural conditions as low population density, limitations
of size and resources and the general absence of private common carriers
call for more innovation and flexibility in the development of
coordinated public transportation services in rural environs, which
would include more intensive use of existing transportation services
that may now service a single clientele and are frequently
underutilized;

6. existing federal, state and local public transportation assistance
programs are of vital importance in providing mobility to persons in
rural areas of New York state, and increased coordination and more
intensive use of such programs would or could increase the
cost-effectiveness of these programs and enhance the availability of
transportation services to those individuals and families in need; and

7. the establishment of a rural public transportation coordination
assistance program would or could increase the mobility of individuals
and families in the state's rural regions and make available to those in
need more of the limited transportation resources that now exist.

8. the establishment of a rural transportation coordination assistance
program is intended to be in addition to existing programs and services
required of the department of transportation and this act shall in no
manner or means detract from the other services, resources and programs
now provided by such department.