Authorizes the New York state thruway authority to issue annual short distance commuter permits which shall provide for travel at no charge between interchanges in permit areas.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10116
SPONSOR: Magnarelli TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to commuter
passes on the New York state thruway in the Syracuse area; and providing
for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE:
This legislation is designed to enhance commuter safety and reduce traf-
fic congestion in the Syracuse area during the reconstruction of Inter-
state 81.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Authorizes the NYS Thruway Authority to issue annual short
term distance commuter permits which would allow Thruway travel at no
charge between Thruway Exits 34-A, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 around Syracuse
during the reconstruction of Interstate 81. The fee for the permit would
be limited to the administrative cost of issuing the permit. Addi-
tionally, the bill would allow the Thruway Authority to restrict the use
of the permits to peak commute hours, as determined by the Authority. If
the Thruway Authority can demonstrate a significant loss of revenue, the
bill permits the Authority to offer such permits at reduced cost per
mile. This would require a resolution of the Board after holding public
hearings.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The NYS Thruway is one of the safest roads in the State, based on acci-
dents per mile. However, many commuters in urban areas choose to by-pass
the Thruway in favor of local roads and highways due to the cost of
tolls. As a result, motorist safety is reduced, traffic congestion on
local roads is increased, and unneeded stress is placed on local infras-
tructure.
This legislation would encourage commuters in the Syracuse area to use
the Thruway on a more regular basis. It is anticipated that congestion
on local roads and highways will be reduced by greater utilization of
the Thruway. Additionally, the adoption of the E-Z Pass system has made
the Thruway more practical for commuters.
Finally, the reconstruction of Interstate 81 will cause significant
travel disruptions in'Central NY during the estimated 10-year
construction period. Opening the Thruway up to commuters as an alterna-
tive route will help to divert some of this traffic,
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2025: A.225; 2023-2024: A.146-A; 2022: A.9456; 2017: A.695; 2015-2016:
A.8398, 2002: A.9971; 1999-00: A.1038; 1997-98: A.2468; 1995-96:
A.11901
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Approximately $1.2 million annually.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
120 days after enactment. However, the legislation will sunset on Decem-
ber 31, 2030.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10116
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to commuter
passes on the New York state thruway in the Syracuse area; and provid-
ing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The opening paragraph of section 378 of the public author-
2 ities law is designated subdivision 1 and a new subdivision 2 is added
3 to read as follows:
4 2. (a) The authority is hereby authorized and directed to issue annual
5 short distance commuter permits which shall provide for travel at no
6 charge between interchanges in permit areas. For purposes of this subdi-
7 vision, the term "permit area" shall mean the following set of inter-
8 changes: thirty-four-A, thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-
9 eight and thirty-nine. Such permits shall be valid only for travel
10 within the permit area. The authority may restrict the use of such
11 permit to peak commuter hours.
12 (b) If, upon the completion of an audit conducted by a certified
13 public accountant selected by the authority, the authority can demon-
14 strate that the issuance of permits as authorized in paragraph (a) of
15 this subdivision for use during peak commuter hours causes a significant
16 loss of revenue to the authority, the authority is authorized, pursuant
17 to a resolution of the board, to offer such permits at a discount of the
18 cash cost per mile; provided, however, that, prior to such board resol-
19 ution, the authority shall hold at least one public hearing in the
20 permit area, at a time and location which will, to the extent practica-
21 ble, maximize the participation of the general public.
22 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
23 it shall have become a law and shall expire December 31, 2030 when upon
24 such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed. The
25 thruway authority shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary
26 for the implementation of this act on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00807-04-6
