NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3599
SPONSOR: Ortiz TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public authorities law, in
relation to the board of the metropolitan transportation authority; and
in relation to the establishment of the metropolitan transit authority
riders' council for persons with disabilities
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill seeks to improve the Metropolitan Transit Authority's (MTA)
accommodation of disabled riders through the establishment of an advi-
sory council. Council members would be non-voting members of the MTA.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The bill establishes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Riders'
Council for People with Disabilities to study and investigate all
aspects of the day-to-day operations of the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority and its subsidiaries, monitor its performance, and make recom-
mendations to improve its operation.
The bill requires that the Council shall consist of fifteen members who
are regular transit users and who are people with disabilities. One
member shall be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the
mayor of the city of New York; one on the recommendation of the presi-
dent of the city council; one on the recommendation of the New York
state comptroller; one on the recommendation of each of the borough
presidents of the city of New York; one on the recommendation of each of
the county executives of Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutch-
ess, and Orange. Each of the members shall serve for two-year terms. The
Council shall select a Chair from its membership. Vacancies shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointments for the balance
of the original member's term.
The bill requires that the members of the Council will receive no
compensation but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
The bill requires that the Council shall provide support services to its
members so that they may perform their duties, including but not limited
to transportation, telecommunication, and accessible technology support.
The Chair may hire staff and consultants for any funds made available to
the Council.
The bill allows that the Council may request and shall receive assist-
ance and data from any political subdivision of the state to enable it
to properly carry out its duties.
The bill creates an additional non-voting member of the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority who shall serve an eighteen-month term and is
recommended to the governor by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Riders' Council for People with Disabilities.
The bill provides a definition for "disability" and "disabled."
JUSTIFICATION:
New York City and its commuter rails are far behind other major cities
in accommodating the needs of riders with disabilities. Only 97 out of
468 MTA passenger stations are ADA-compliant for people in wheelchairs
as of August 2012. Elevator and escalator maintenance problems are ramp-
ant and little is done to alert riders who depend on these facilities
about breakdowns and alternative-routes. The hard of hearing are unable
to make sense of train announcements even though technology exists that
could improve this. Platform gaps, a noted problem on the Long Island
Railroad, are of a particular threat to the safety of the visually
impaired. The recent closure of station agent booths and the elimination
of many station agent personnel disproportionately impact those with
disabilities.
The establishment of the Riders' Council for People with Disabilities
through this legislation will correct the lack of representation of
disabled people on the board of the MTA itself. In 2006, Manhattan
Borough President Scott Stringer published The State of Repairs: An
Examination of Elevator and Escalator Maintenance and Repairs in New
York City's Subway System. In this report, he concluded that, while the
MTA does have the New York City Transit Riders Council, "they are not
charged with the specific responsibly of representing the needs of disa-
bled riders. And while the MTA has an ADA compliance coordination
committee, it is informal and not comprised of appointed members. A
legislatively-mandated body representing disabled riders is needed to
ensure the issues of the disability community are identified and
addressed."
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2015/16: A7803 Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Unknown
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately, with provisions
