File #: Res 0802-2007    Version: * Name: Establishing a no fare program for transportation on the NYCTA system, the Long Island Rail Road, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for senior citizens. (A.0697)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Aging
On agenda: 4/12/2007
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass A. 0697, which would amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing a no fare program for transportation on the New York City Transit Authority system, the Long Island Rail Road, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for senior citizens.
Sponsors: Inez E. Dickens, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Gale A. Brewer, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Erik Martin Dilan, Lewis A. Fidler, Helen D. Foster, Vincent J. Gentile, Alan J. Gerson, Sara M. Gonzalez, Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Rosie Mendez, Michael C. Nelson, Annabel Palma, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Diana Reyna, Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., Larry B. Seabrook, Peter F. Vallone, Jr., Albert Vann, Thomas White, Jr., John C. Liu
Council Member Sponsors: 24

Res. No. 802

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass A. 0697, which would amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing a no fare program for transportation on the New York City Transit Authority system, the Long Island Rail Road, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for senior citizens.

 

By Council Members Dickens, Arroyo, Brewer, Comrie, Dilan, Fidler, Foster, Gentile, Gerson, Gonzalez, James, Mark-Viverito, Mendez, Nelson, Palma, Recchia Jr., Reyna, Rivera, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Vallone, Vann, White Jr. and Liu

 

                     Whereas, A. 0697, which has been introduced in the New York State Assembly, would require for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), in consultation with the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company (Metro-North), to establish and implement a no fare program for transportation on NYCTA, the LIRR and the Metro-North for senior citizens sixty-five years of age or older; and

                     Whereas, A. 0697 would require senior citizens to present proof of age to participate in the program, either by their Medicare card, driver’s license, birth certificate or such other manner as the MTA deems sufficient; and

                     Whereas, The no fare program would be implemented on weekdays between the off-peak hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and all day on weekends; and

                     Whereas, This proposed program would provide assistance to seniors who are below the poverty level and rely heavily on public transportation; and

                     Whereas, A precedent exists for free transportation to certain populations, since full fare Metrocard passes are provided to certain New York City public school children to enable them to ride free from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during weekdays; and

                     Whereas, The cities of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Austin, Texas; Davis, California; Detroit, Michigan; Jacksonville, Florida; York, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; and Miami, Florida; all provide free transportation fares for eligible senior citizens at all times; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass A. 0697, which would amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing a no fare program for transportation on the New York City Transit Authority system, the Long Island Rail Road, and the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for senior citizens.

 

 

 

SO

LS #2714

4/4/07

11:56 AM