On March 5, at a rally held at the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), Capital District Legislators, labor, business groups, and transportation advocates called on the New York State Legislature and Governor Cuomo to support critically-needed transit systems throughout New York State and to ensure that the final state budget includes both capital investment and additional operating aid for non-MTA transit systems, like Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA).
The 2015-16 Executive Budget proposes zero growth in state operating assistance (STOA) for CDTA as well as other upstate and downstate transit systems, other than a small increase for the MTA, and it fails to fully-fund a statewide transit capital plan. The cost to provide quality transit service increases each year. Although fuel costs are down, pension, health care and paratransit operating costs continue to rise. Transit systems cannot continue to operate current services at existing funding levels. Systems across the state are bracing for the possibility that they will have to raise fares and/or cut service in order to address the funding gap in their budgets.
On the capital side, the New York Public Transit Association has developed a 5-year suburban and upstate capital plan that identifies $1 billion in capital needs. Half of the plan is currently unfunded. A fully-funded statewide capital plan would mean that CDTA could invest in basic capital needs—such as bus shelters, batteries on hybrid buses, and new vehicle locator, communications and dispatching technology. It would also enable CDTA to expand its successful Bus Plus rapid transit service onto the proposed BRT routes for the Washington-Western and River corridors. A substantial capital investment of $100 million or more, for both the suburban downstate and upstate public transportation systems, is needed—this number would fill the gap in NYPTA’s proposed capital plan, for one year.
On the operating side, New York’s transit systems are enjoying unprecedented growth in ridership, productivity and popularity. Consequently, passenger revenue is rising, but state transit operating assistance has not kept up with demand. Flat state funding for five years has forced upstate systems, including CDTA, to divert significant portions of their federal capital funds to meet day-to-day operating costs, a long-term fiscally unsound maneuver. We are asking the state to provide an additional $25 million for upstate operating assistance and to fix the upstate funding formula to assure steady and reliable operating funds in the future.
Ridership in Albany is a record for calendar year 2014 at more than 17 million. This is a 4 percent increase over last calendar year. CDTA has seen 47 months of consecutive ridership increase from March 2011 to January 2015. CDTA attributes its run of success to hard work, an effective route network and providing outstanding service to the community. But without additional capital and operating support from the state, it will be difficult to continue these successes.
“Hard working families rely heavily on our transit systems each and every day. It is critical that these systems receive adequate funding so they can continue to operate both efficiently and effectively,” said New York State Senator Neil Breslin. “With other costs continuing to increase such as fuel, pension and health care, it is critical that our transit systems are funded at higher levels so people can continue to receive the quality transit services they are accustomed too.”
“Increased state support for mass transit is a smart investment in New York’s future. I strongly support efforts to ensure upstate transit operations and infrastructure are properly funded in the 2015-16 State Budget. I advocated for this necessary investment so our upstate mass transit systems can meet demands of, and continue serving, a growing ridership,” said New York State Senator Kathy Marchione, chair of the Senate’s Local Government Committee.
"CDTA, like all transit agencies across the state, is enjoying unprecedented growth in ridership, productivity and popularity. That growth does not happen by chance. We, like our counterparts across the state have focused on making the system easier to use and to provide better connections,” said David M. Stackrow, CDTA Board chairman. “The importance of this issue cannot be overstated. Public transit plays too big a role in the economies of the state and our local communities."
"There is no question that maximizing transportation spending gets more people to work. Ensuring an appropriate level of state funding for public transportation is an investment in our communities,” said Mark Egan, president and CEO Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber. “At the end of the day, supporting transit supports our citizens and businesses, something that makes economic sense on any level."
"Today, Capital District transit workers are calling on the state to step to the plate. The decisions being made on state transit funding are threatening the jobs of our union members, and the vitality of our community,” said Steve Moquin, president ATU 1321. “State operating funds provide crucial support for local jobs, local families, and local businesses. The time is now for the state to do its part to fix the broken funding formula for upstate transit systems."
“Funding transit capital and operations is one of the smartest investments New York State can make towards a strong economy,” said Nadine Lemmon, NY and Federal Policy Coordinator of Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “This is one investment that is not a gamble. Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature must increase funds for capital and operating needs of the state’s struggling transit systems.”
"The governor has issued Executive Order #136 to create an Employment First policy and for making employment for New Yorkers with disabilities a priority. Unfortunately without adequate, affordable and accessible public transportation services, his employment priority for New Yorkers with disabilities will not be realized,” said Clifton Perez, Systems Advocate for Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley. “The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates 25 years on July 26, 2015 and persons with disabilities, to a large degree due to a lack of accessible public transportation services, are still not fully integrated and unable to participate in community activities."