Long Island, NY - January 12, 2017 - Senator John E. Brooks and Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino have introduced legislation that directs fees from prearranged trip services, like Uber and Lyft, towards improvements in local transit -- such as the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and local buses. It is estimated that this legislation will give an additional $24 million to localities and municipalities to improve local transit systems.
“At a time when critical infrastructure needs are being underfunded federally, this is an opportunity for New York State to improve the lives and commutes of the hundreds of thousands who utilize mass transit,” said State Senator John E. Brooks. “My legislation ensures $24 million in collected money will go toward improvements in local transit infrastructure statewide. Money that is spent on Long Island should stay on Long Island to fund sorely needed infrastructure improvements like expanded handicapped accessibility and bus routes.”
“Fees collected locally must go back to our communities. Anything less is a back door tax on our middle class,” Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino said. “Public transportation aids our local economy, eases congestion on our roads, provides necessary services to our seniors and protects our environment.”
The bill redirects an existing four-percent assessment fee on all transportation network companies (TNC) from the General Fund back to local transit operating accounts that will help localities strengthen and improve existing local transit systems. The legislation only applies to TNC fees generated outside of the City of New York and does not impose any new taxes or fees. Further, it includes a provision that prevents counties or municipalities from using collected TNC funds to reduce their annual operating payments to local transit systems, ensuring that this additional funding is not offset by reduced state or local assistance
The legislation can be viewed here: https://www.scribd.com/document/368863148/Brooks-Pellegrino-TNC-Local-Transit-Funds-Bill.