State Budget Positive for Public Transit

ALBANY, NY (03/29/2013)(readMedia)-- This week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo detailed the more than $4.7 billion included in the 2013-14 Budget to support public transportation systems across New York State.

The Governor and Legislature increased support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) by 9.2% increase – more than $358 million – bringing the total MTA budget to $4.2 billion. The Budget also includes more than $454 million to support Upstate and Downstate public transportation networks, in addition to millions of dollars in new capital grants.

"The 2013-14 State Budget recognizes the important role that transit systems across the state play in serving our economy and our communities", said Carm Basile, President of the New York Public Transit Association. "I want to thank the Governor and the Legislature for increasing state investment in transit services and infrastructure."

The Budget continues support for the MTA capital program, reauthorizing spending for $770 million in State capital funding that was committed for the MTA 2010-14 capital program and approximately $570 million for the continued spend-out of the MTA's 2005-09 capital program from reappropriations of the Rebuild and Renew New York Bond Act of 2005.

The Budget also includes $21 million in new funding, including $16 million in grants and an additional $5 million in NY Works Capital Assistance, to support Downstate Suburban and Upstate public transportation capital investments (Non-MTA)

"An investment in transit is also an investment in jobs and our state economy," said Basile. "The public transit industry takes people to work, employs over 75,000 people, and is a consumer of products and services produced right here, in our communities throughout New York State. We appreciate the State's investment and know it will continue to yield positive results for economic growth."