PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVOCATES TO BRING PRO-TRANSIT MESSAGE TO THE CAPITAL ON TRANSIT AWARENESS DAY

ALBANY, NY (01/19/2018) (readMedia)-- Transit managers, riders, labor, businesses and invited guests will converge at the Capital on Tuesday, January 23 for Transit Awareness Day at The Well of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Albany. The Association's President, Bill Carpenter, CEO of the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transit System (RTS) will open the event with a briefing from on the public transit industry's value to New York State's economy and the need for state lawmakers to make the necessary investment to sustain the valuable public transit services in its communities.

"We had a very successful Transit Awareness Day last year," said Carpenter. "It's important that we build on that momentum so everyone understands just how important a strong public transit system is to the people and economy of New York State."

Through the meetings with individual lawmakers, NYPTA, its members, partner transportation coalitions, advocacy groups and business partners will urge the State to make the investment in public transportation that brings wide-ranging benefits.

"One of the best ways to accelerate the state's economic development efforts is to build a more robust public transit system," said Carpenter. "With more businesses relocating or expanding in communities across the state, our transit systems need a sustainable increase in funding to keep up with demand and provide the connections that are needed to ensure success."

In addition to Carpenter, speakers include Senator Joseph Robach, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee; Ron Epstein, Chief Financial Officer of the New York State Department of Transportation; Carm Basile, CEO of the Capital District Transportation Authority; and Paul Chilkotowsky, Northeast Regional Sales Manager for Nova Bus.

More than 100 transit systems provide mobility in communities across New York State, supporting the economy by connecting people to jobs, health care, education, shopping and entertainment. Use of public transit is at an all-time high, and our communities want more travel options. Transit systems employ thousands of New Yorkers and create and sustain jobs by purchasing equipment and supplies from hundreds of New York businesses. Transit is a critical component of the engine that drives New York's growth.

About NYPTA

The New York Public Transit Association, Inc. (NYPTA) is a not-for-profit association of public transportation service providers, private sector manufacturers and consultants, and state government agencies. The Association was formed in 1983 by representatives of the transit industry committed to the advancement of public transportation in New York State. NYPTA remains devoted to public transportation development and representing the mass transportation needs of the riding public. NYPTA members consist of upstate and downstate systems in rural, suburban, city, and large metropolitan localities, and account for 28 percent of all transit rides in the country.