New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S06497

Introduced
3/14/25  
Refer
3/14/25  

Caption

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.

Summary

Bill S06497 aims to amend the public authorities law in New York to ensure fare parity for paratransit services. Specifically, it mandates that paratransit services offered to individuals with disabilities or health conditions must be available at the same fare as that of public buses and subways for those who can use them. This change is intended to promote equity in transportation costs for individuals who may have varying levels of mobility and accessibility needs.

Impact

The bill will impact the fare structures of paratransit services operated by public authorities in New York, requiring them to align their pricing with that of standard public transportation services. This could lead to a significant reduction in transportation costs for eligible individuals, thereby enhancing their access to public transportation and potentially increasing ridership among those who previously relied on more expensive paratransit options.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the bill appears to be generally supportive, as it addresses a critical issue of accessibility and fairness in public transportation. However, there may be concerns from transportation authorities regarding the financial implications of implementing fare parity, which could affect their operational budgets.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise from transportation authorities who could argue that the bill imposes financial burdens on their operations. Additionally, there may be discussions about the feasibility of implementing such fare parity without compromising the quality of service or the sustainability of paratransit programs.

Companion Bills

NY A05793

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

NY S03178

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.

NY A05793

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.

NY A07555

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.

NY A07316

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.

NY A08042

Enacts the safe subways act creating a subway safety command force responsible for coordinating public safety, homelessness intervention services, the orderly flow of riders in and out of the subway system, compliance with fare collection, and the cosmetic appearance of subway trains and stations.

NY S03887

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.

NY A10511

Permits free use of subways, buses and trains for uniformed members of the New York national guard with orders for duty.

NY A11063

Prohibits persons who were sentenced for a crime involving unlawful sexual conduct or assault from using public transportation including services in the transportation of passengers, airports, train stations, subway and rail stations, and bus terminals.

NY HB1800

Persons with disabilities; rights to the full and free use of public playgrounds.

NY A06676

Allows for paratransit eligible for paratransit eligible individuals who are at least eighty years old, to be required only to present correspondence from a licensed physician, dated within the preceding thirty days, indicating that the paratransit service is still necessary for the individual to make a single application for paratransit services; provides that once approved, such individuals shall be exempt from all certification requirements.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.