Modernizes the access-a-ride program's application process by creating an online application process and notifying applicants throughout the process via email.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3471
SPONSOR: Raga TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to modernizing
the access-a-ride program's application process
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would create an online application process for Access-
A-Ride, the paratransit service under Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA) which provides public transportation for those who qual-
ify under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It would also
create a new notification system which would include an option for email
correspondence, rather than only traditional mail.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends Section 1266 of the public authorities law by adding
a new subdivision 20 which details in (a) the new application process
and in (b) the new notification system the MTA must enact for Access-A-
Ride within one year of the effective date.
Section two provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The current application process for Access-A-Ride is outdated, uses
inconvenient methods, and employs an inefficient scheduling process.
Despite several states beginning to use online application processes,
New York still maintains the same application process it has had since
1990. This adversely affects disabled individuals as it prevents them
from having easy access to Access-A-Ride and causes them undue stress.
By updating the application process for Access-ARide, there will be less
instances of missed appointments, less time taken to process applica-
tions, and increased communication.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3471
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. RAGA -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to modernizing
the access-a-ride program's application process
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by
2 adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
3 20. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, within one year of the
4 effective date of this subdivision, the authority shall:
5 (a) create an online application process for people to apply to the
6 access-a-ride program; and
7 (b) establish a notification system to inform applicants to the
8 access-a-ride program when such applicant's application has been
9 successfully submitted, when the applicant's in-person assessment date
10 has been scheduled for with the ability to request a different time
11 and/or date for such assessment, and when the applicant's eligibility
12 decision has been made and such decision. Such notifications shall be
13 able to be opted into during the application process. Such notifications
14 shall be sent to the applicant via email.
15 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04125-01-5
