File #: Res 0215-2024    Version: * Name: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.
Type: Resolution Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 3/7/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.
Sponsors: Justin L. Brannan, Kalman Yeger , Shahana K. Hanif, Alexa Avilés
Council Member Sponsors: 4
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 215, 2. March 7, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 3-7-24

Res. No. 215

 

Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.

 

By Council Members Brannan, Yeger, Hanif and Avilés

 

Whereas, According to TransitCenter, a foundation that works on the improvement of public transit, as of January 2019, there were 97 cities and towns across the world that provide fully fare-free public transit, and there is a growing movement both in the United States and abroad in favor of fare elimination as part of addressing climate change, rising income inequality and socioeconomic disparity; and

Whereas, Currently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) suspends alternate side parking on 37 legal and major holidays in New York City, and DOT also suspends parking meter regulations on some major legal holidays including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and

Whereas, Several metropolitan jurisdictions offer free New Year’s Eve transit to help ease travel options and reduce drunk driving, such as Los Angeles, California (CA); Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis (MN), Minnesota; Toronto, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia; among others; and

Whereas, New York City’s buses, subways, and commuter rail lines were free between 8 am and 8 pm on New Year’s Eve in 1984 and 1985; and

Whereas, Major cities in the United States have offered free transit for selected holidays such as Saint Paul, MN in connection with St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and Los Angeles, CA; Dallas, Texas (TX); Houston, TX; and Tampa, Florida offered free buses and trains on Election Day, November 6, 2018; and

Whereas, In 2005, the MTA offered a fare discount for the holiday season, reducing the base fare by half at the time, to $1 for weekends between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day as well as throughout the last week of December; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays. Body

 

 

Session 13

LS #1970

01/12/2024

 

Session 12

JB

LS #1970

1/24/22 1:37pm