Last week, Reconnect Rochester went on our annual (virtual) trip to champion public transportation and safe streets for all of Rochester (and New York State). We spent the day speaking with legislators about the ways we can improve transportation in our region and across the state.
Presenting our best thinking on safe streets and transportation priorities with legislatures is one of the biggest ways we influence policy behind the scenes.
The meetings were very productive and we found several ways to advance the priority bills and budget investments discussed below.
One of our biggest pushes of this year has since made it into the so-called “One House budget”. The next step is to get Governor Hochul to include it in her budget. We are running a petition calling on New York State to include $15M in this year’s budget to build an intercity bus terminal as an expansion of the Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station. You can add your name to the petition here.
We were also curious to see this new $10 million for “Higher Speed Rail”. 🤔
We’d like to shout out Reconnect Rochester Multimodal Advocacy Committee members Bill Collins, Jason Partyka, Doug Kelley, Evan Lowenstein, and Steve Roll for devoting their time to the effort, and a huge thank you to all the legislative offices who took the time to meet with us: Assemblymembers Demond Meeks, Harry Bronson, Jennifer Lunsford, Sarah Clark, and William Magnarelli, and Senators Samra Brouk, Jeremy Cooney, and Tim Kennedy.
Do you want to get involved with safe streets lobbying? If you are interested in joining advocates in Albany on May 7th, you can sign up for the New York Safe Streets Lobby Day by registering here. If you are planning to go, feel free to drop us a line.
Check out our full list of 2024 transportation asks below:
New York State 2024-25 Transportation Priorities
Public Transit:
Historic levels of investment have been made at the federal level for public transportation. We are asking for you to support:
- A 15% increase in Statewide Operating Assistance (STOA) funding for upstate transit systems
- Increased capital investments into green infrastructure to reach the state’s climate goals
- Dedicated sources of revenue to ensure sustainable, predictable, long-term funding streams for transit services. While economic development projects should be built on public transit lines, consider establishing transit funding for economic development projects (for example, A9225/S8563)
- Expanded fare-capping and fare-free programs
Bicycle and Pedestrian (Active Transportation):
Pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities are on the rise. Reconnect Rochester is working with the NYS Safe Streets Coalition to prioritize legislation to address this silent epidemic. Consider sponsoring or co sponsoring the S.A.F.E. Streets Act which includes the following legislation:
- Sammy’s Law
Allows New York City to control its own speed limits. (Briefing document and List of Supporters)
S2422 (Hoylman) | A7266 (Rosenthal) - Complete Streets Maintenance
Includes, when possible, complete street design features in resurfacing, maintenance and pavement recycling projects and further enable safe access to public roads for all users. (Briefing document)
S2714 (Kennedy) | A01280 (Rivera) - Defined Safe Passing
Require motorists to allow at least three feet between vehicle and pedestrians, bicyclists, and wheelchair users when overtaking or passing statewide except New York City which will continue to require “safe distance.” (Briefing document)
S1724 (Harckham) | A04346 (Steck) - Stop As Yield
Allows cyclists to treat stop lights as stop signs and stop signs as yields, reducing vehicle conflict while prioritizing pedestrian right-of-way, and encouraging increased cyclist use of low-traffic, secondary roads. (Briefing document)
S2643 (May) | A3986 (Fahy) - Speed Limiters for Repeat Offenders
Requires mandatory intelligent speed assistance technology for repeat offenders. (Briefing document and FAQ)
S7621 (Gounardes) | A07979 (Gallagher) - Complete Streets Budget Ask
Increase funding in the Department of Transportation Capital Projects Budget for Complete Streets from $5 million to $10 million. (Briefing document) - Other Supporting Bills
The New York State Coalition also supports several additional bills that will help make our roadways safe. (List of Additional Bills Supported)
We are also urging NYSDOT to adopt a new policy that aligns with the intent of Chapter 496 of 2022 and allows for the expedient adoption of safer 25 MPH speed limits.
In addition to the S.A.F.E. Streets Act package, these are additional bills related to bicyclists that we would encourage you to sponsor or co-sponsor:
- Ebike Rebate (S314/A275) – Directs the New York state energy and development authority to establish a ride clean rebate program for electric assist bicycles and electric scooters.
- Ebike Access (S1123/A2627) – Repeal certain provisions of the vehicle and traffic law and would allow ebikes to be ridden anywhere regular bikes can.
- Right of Way for Bicyclists (S8210/A8272) – Requiring that vehicles yield the right of way to multi-use trails that cross roadways.
- Relates to consolidated local highway assistance payments (“CHIPS”) (S7890/A8273) Revises the consolidated local street and highway improvement program (“CHIPS”) formula to include bicycle lane and Greenway trail mileage; allows CHIPS funds to be used for the purpose of constructing or maintaining bicycle lanes, Greenway trails, and other multi-use trails.
Train and Long-Distance Bus:
Accelerate the Amtrak Service Development Plan (SDP) implementation timeline for improving upstate New York’s intercity passenger rail service so that projects in Central and Western New York start at the same time as downstate projects.
Climate Resiliency:
Co-sponsor S1981/A4120 to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 20% and expand transportation options to meet climate and equity goals. Learn more about the effort here.