NYPTA THANKS STATE LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR

ALBANY, NY (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- The New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA) is thanking the State Legislature and Governor Cuomo for recognizing the importance of public transit services to the revitalization of the upstate economy by increasing upstate transit aid by $25 million. The increase in state assistance in the 2015-16 budget will help transit systems across upstate New York maintain services and respond to growing ridership.

Both the Senate and Assembly budgets included a $25 million increase in upstate transit funding. The final budget agreement includes a $10 million increase in state operating assistance to upstate transit systems and $15 million in capital assistance. Together, this funding will provide much needed support for infrastructure investment to urban and rural transit systems across upstate New York.

"Ridership is increasing and customers are demanding more services," said NYPTA President and CEO of the Capital District Transportation Authority Carm Basile, "We thank the Legislature and the Governor for recognizing the need for increased mobility in upstate communities and ensuring that transit remains a key part of the upstate economic engine. At CDTA, we especially appreciate the work of our legislative delegation to make transit service a critical component of a vibrant Capital Region."

Executive Director of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) Frank Kobliski said "This is welcomed news to the people of Central New York. I thank the Governor, and especially Senate Finance Committee Chairman John DeFrancisco and his colleagues in the Senate and Assembly for enabling us to continue providing the services our customers rely on every day."

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Executive Director Kim Minkel said "We appreciate the Legislature and the Governor recognizing the vital role that Metro bus and rail service are playing in the development of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, in addition to the facilities at Canalside. Adequate funding for public transit is an absolute necessity for the revival of our upstate cities."

"The investment we made in the RTS Transit Center is immediately paying back," said Bill Carpenter, CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority. "The investment that New York State is making in public transit will continue paying back every day as we take people to work, or to shop, and to keep our businesses healthy and our communities growing."

About NYPTA

The New York Public Transit Association, Inc. (NYPTA) is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40 transit systems across New York State including the MTA, the largest public transportation systems in the nation, the four upstate authorities, downstate systems outside of the MTA, and the transportation systems that serve rural upstate New York communities. www.nytransit.org, info@nytransit.org

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Contact - Carm Basile, President, New York Public Transit Association

CEO, Capital District Transportation Authority

carm@cdta.org