Serino Fights to Increase Access to Transportation for Veterans

SERINO FIGHTS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION FOR VETERANS

Bill To Create MTA Half-Fare Rate Program for Vets Passes Senate

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) today announced that her bill to create a half-fare program for veterans utilizing services provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) passed in the Senate.

“Our veterans have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms and for that, they deserve not only our respect, but also our gratitude,” said Senator Serino.

“While words will never be enough to express the full weight of our thanks, empowering our veterans to live full lives after their service is one way that we can show them just how much they are valued. Increasing access to transportation services by creating a half-fare program has the potential to significantly improve quality of life for our vets.”

In her justification for the bill, Senator Serino notes that New York has one of highest veteran populations in the country with a strong concentration of residents in the MTA region. However, as she goes on to note, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, New York has lost between 30 and 35% of our veteran population between 2000-2015.  

In an effort to keep our veterans in New York, Senator Serino’s bill, S. 5545A, aims to make the MTA region more affordable to live and travel in by providing a half-fare rate program for New York State residents who have served as a member of our armed forces.

“My goal is to make New York a place where people want to live, not one they want to leave and that is especially true when it comes to our veterans who play an invaluable role in our communities,” Senator Serino continued. “I find it hard to believe that the MTA couldn’t find room in their bloated budget for this important initiative—especially considering the exorbitant taxes they collect from my district alone.”  

It should be noted that the MTA has already established a half-fare program for those with a serious mental illnesses and this measure would expand the half-fare program to those who deserve be recognized for their service to our country.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly where is sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D—Bronx).

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