Senate approves O'Mara's legislation creating ‘Upstate Transit Funding Board’ to ensure long-term viability of public transit systems

Albany, N.Y., June 14—The New York State Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) to establish a new "Upstate Transit Funding Board" within the state the Department of Transportation (DOT).

“We need to take steps to ensure the long-term operation and viability of public transportation systems throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and across upstate New York,” said O’Mara, vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.   “These systems provide critical links for thousands upon thousands of upstate residents and their jobs, medical appointments, school, shopping, and other destinations.  Our public transit systems also stand as cornerstones of regional transportation systems vital to economic development, job growth, anti-poverty and housing initiatives, energy and environmental conservation.”

The Assembly sponsor of the legislation (S2083/A7074) is Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica).  Last year the measure received unanimous approval in the Senate.  The Assembly approved the measure by a vote of 134-2 before Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed it.  The governor argued that the legislation’s effective date failed to provide enough time to establish the board and issue a report.  The current legislation extends that timeframe by setting a December 2018 deadline for issuing the report.

O’Mara and other supporters stress that fares alone are not sufficient to cover all the costs of providing public transit services and the systems must rely on annual state funding.  He said that the creation of an Upstate Transit Funding Board would ensure that discussions remain ongoing to continually identify sustainable funding options to provide for growth and stability in the public transportation operating assistance, and create additional opportunities for supporting mobility options for upstate New York residents.

The future of upstate public transit systems has been an O’Mara priority over the past several years, particularly since the state’s ongoing Medicaid redesign strategy has included a shift over the past three years in the administration and management of Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) from localities to the state.  It’s been viewed as a cost-cutting move by state officials, however many local public transportation officials from O’Mara’s district and across the upstate region continue to raise concerns about the plan and, especially, its long-term impact on rural communities and populations including the disabled, elderly, and the rural workforce.

“The Medicaid redesign effort in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation has significantly impacted public transportation services – from public transit buses to private taxi service – in many areas but especially in rural, upstate regions,” said O’Mara.  “The viability of public transportation in our rural areas is at risk because of Albany’s attempt at a statewide, one-size-fits-all approach to these local systems.  We are making every effort to bring attention to the changes underway, fully assess the consequences for our counties, and do what we can to ensure that the impact on rural, upstate public transportation receives fair consideration.”

O’Mara has held numerous meetings and forums over the past several years to hear directly from local officials, mobility managers, transportation providers and community organizations.  Officials from numerous counties, including all of the counties O’Mara represents as part of the 58th Senate District (Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins and Yates), have highlighted the shortcomings of the new system.