Opens eligibility of paratransit services to individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are able to utilize the public buses and railroad operated by the authority.
Summary
This bill amends the Public Authorities Law to change how a transit authority may set eligibility and fares for paratransit service. Under the bill, if an authority offers paratransit for people with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public buses or rail for some or all trips, that service must also be made available at the same fares to individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are nevertheless able to use the authority’s buses and railroad. The measure applies notwithstanding any other law or contract terms.
In practical terms, the bill would broaden access to paratransit by preventing a transit authority from limiting the service or charging different fares based solely on whether a person can use fixed-route transit. It would take effect 90 days after becoming law and would affect any public authority that operates both paratransit and fixed-route bus or rail service.
Impact
The bill would amend section 1299-f of the Public Authorities Law by adding a new subdivision governing paratransit eligibility and fare parity. It would require transit authorities that provide paratransit to extend the same fare treatment to eligible individuals with disabilities or health conditions even if those individuals can use buses or rail for some trips, overriding contrary provisions in law or contract. The main affected parties would be public authorities operating transit systems and riders with disabilities or health conditions who rely on paratransit.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote, or formal opposition, so there is no documented debate or recorded sentiment in the materials provided. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as an access-expanding, rider-protective proposal aimed at equalizing treatment for people with disabilities or health conditions.
Contention
The central policy issue is whether paratransit eligibility and pricing should be tied strictly to inability to use fixed-route transit, or whether riders with disabilities or health conditions should receive the same paratransit fares even when they can use buses or rail for some trips. Potential contention would likely come from transit authorities or fiscal stakeholders concerned about expanded eligibility, higher operating costs, or conflict with existing service rules and contracts, while disability advocates would likely support the broader access and fare parity.
Requires fares for paratransit services providing public transportation for eligible individuals with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public buses and subways for some or all of their trips, to be made available at the same fares for individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are able to utilize public buses and subways.
Requires fares for paratransit services providing public transportation for eligible individuals with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public buses and subways for some or all of their trips, to be made available at the same fares for individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are able to utilize public buses and subways.
Requires fares for paratransit services providing public transportation for eligible individuals with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public buses and subways for some or all of their trips, to be made available at the same fares for individuals with disabilities or health conditions who are able to utilize public buses and subways.
Requires that any individual who is eligible for the Fair Fares NYC program and any person whose income is three hundred percent of the federal poverty level receive a fifty percent discount on trips using the Long Island Rail Road, paratransit services, New York city transit subways or buses, and/or Metro-North railroad; defines terms.
Allows individuals to use correspondence from a licensed physician, dated within the preceding thirty days, indicating that paratransit service is necessary for such individual, in place of in-person recertification.
Directs the power authority of the state of New York to make low-cost power and energy services available to providers of services for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
Directs the power authority of the state of New York to make low-cost power and energy services available to providers of services for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
Authorizes holders of certain operating certificates for treatment of persons with developmental disabilities to provide behavioral analysis services, so long as the professional providing such services is operating within their scope of practice; authorizes holders of such operating certificates to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts and mental health counselors.