Bill > S08333

This bill extends and expands the on-demand E-hail paratransit pilot program operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The pilot, originally created in 2017, allows Access-A-Ride paratransit program users to request immediate rides using a smartphone app or phone service. The bill mandates that the MTA continue operating the pilot through March 31, 2027, and requires the authority to expand the program by adding 1,200 new users by March 16, 2026. When selecting these additional users, the MTA must create a representative sample considering factors like age, disability, geographic distribution, and ridership frequency. The bill specifies that fares for these rides will be equal to the MTA's base bus and subway fares, and service hours will match the authority's existing transportation services. Importantly, there will be no restrictions on the length, duration, or number of rides available to enrolled users. The MTA is also required to submit a comprehensive report by April 13, 2027, detailing the pilot's ridership, usage patterns, and costs to various state and city government entities. The expansion is contingent on securing funding at or below 2019 program levels, either through state appropriations or other governmental sources.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8333