Bill > A04505

This bill establishes an Office of the Transit Riders Advocate within the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints from mass transit and paratransit users. The office will be led by a full-time director appointed by the MTA's executive director, selected from a list of candidates submitted by the permanent citizens advisory committee, who must have expertise in advocacy. The director's responsibilities include investigating complaints that may adversely affect transit users' health, safety, welfare, or rights, and providing services to help protect those rights, such as representing users' interests before governmental agencies. The office must resolve complaints within 60 days, maintain complainant confidentiality, and produce an annual public report analyzing complaint data, evaluating transit users' problems, and offering recommendations for improving services. The MTA is required to conduct public outreach about the office, including creating a website link, establishing a toll-free complaint number, and displaying information about the advocate's office in multiple languages on buses, trains, subways, and stations. The bill will take effect six months after becoming law, with the director to be appointed by the effective date and any existing unresolved complaints to be transferred to the new office.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4505