Senators Comrie and Kennedy Announce Hearings On New York’s Transit Systems

The Senate Majority announced that five public hearings will be held across the state on the effectiveness of New York’s transit networks. Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Transportation Committee, and Senator Leroy Comrie, Chair of the Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committee, will lead these hearings, to ensure that legislative activity in 2019 related to transportation reflects a wide perspective of interests. Among the many issues expected to be discussed: MTA management, transit ridership concerns, and upstate funding formulas.

“Improving New York's outdated and crumbling transit systems is a crucial challenge that we must meet,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “These hearings will ensure that New Yorkers throughout the state will be able to share their priorities and discuss these important issues directly with their elected leaders. I commendSenators Kennedy and Comrie for organizing these hearings and working with their Senate Majority colleagues to improve our state’s infrastructure, MTA, LIRR, Metro-North, Bee-Line Bus, Metro Rail, NFTA, CDTA, RTS, Centro, CEATS, C Tran, and other mass transit systems.”

Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, said, “Millions rely on New York’s transit networks every day, and they deserve effective, reliable, and safe transportations options. Through these statewide hearings, we intend to work collaboratively with advocates, riders, and local representatives, and listen to their priorities and concerns, in order to move a bold transportation agenda forward in New York State.”

Senator Leroy Comrie, Chair of the Senate’s Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committee, said, “We are fully prepared to have frank discussions alongside all stakeholders, including riders, labor, and management, about the MTA's current state of affairs with respect to its finances and the quality of service it is providing to New Yorkers. Proper legislative oversight should be the cornerstone of any solution for fixing our transit infrastructure, enhancing service, and improving the long-term sustainability of the MTA.”

The first hearing will be held in Manhattan on Tuesday, February 19th at 10:00 AM in the Senate Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, 19th Floor. Additional hearings will follow on Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Syracuse, and Buffalo. Dates and locations for those hearings will be announced next week.

If you would like to testify at one of the hearings, please RSVP to nichols@nysenate.gov.