Buffalo – Senator Tim Kennedy and Assemblymember Jon Rivera joined members of Buffalo Transit Riders United (BTRU) Saturday to celebrate the signing of their bill, S3959B, which will require upstate transportation authorities to have at least one voting member on their board be an individual who relies on public transportation as their main mode of transportation due to a temporary or permanent disability.

The legislation applies to the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA), Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Capital District Transit Authority (CDTA), and the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CENTRO). The legislation was designed in partnership with BTRU to ensure members of the disability community have a strong role in the authorities and their decision-making processes, which directly impact transit-dependent communities.

“The only way we can build stronger transportation systems here in New York State is if we truly value and incorporate the feedback of the entire riderships, and that includes those who rely on transit services every day due to a disability,” said Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “By passing this bill and having the Governor sign it into law, we’re taking another step towards creating more inclusive, dynamic, and diverse communities statewide, and opening up real opportunities for growth.”

“In a region like ours, in which transportation is mostly focused on personal car ownership, it is imperative that we craft long-term solutions for those who remain unable to drive,” said Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera. “Many of the decisions regarding the re-routing and terminating of bus services, and the increasing of rates, have been made without input or representation from those directly affected. This bill will give a voice to the disabled community by allowing them a direct say in all matters related to our region's public transportation progress. I want to thank Sen. Kennedy for his years of advocacy in pushing to get this bill to the table.”

“The ridership in Buffalo have waited for several years for adequate representation on the Board of the NFTA by being allotted a board member with a clear understanding of challenges facing everyday riders. These include voting rights and privileges to ensure those riders are fairly represented,” said Dennice Barr, President of the Fruit Belt Advisory Council. “This is not just our Christmas wish but an overdue necessity.”

Kennedy and Rivera have championed transit issues within the disability community. Last spring, both state legislators joined the NFTA and advocates within the disability community, to announce $750,000 for a study that will examine the delivery and expansion of paratransit services in WNY.