File #: Res 0008-2022    Version: * Name: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 2/10/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.
Sponsors: Justin L. Brannan, Darlene Mealy, Julie Menin, Farah N. Louis, Kalman Yeger , Shahana K. Hanif, Rita C. Joseph, Chi A. Ossé, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Alexa Avilés, Tiffany Cabán, Kristin Richardson Jordan, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
Council Member Sponsors: 14
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 8, 2. February 10, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 2-10-22, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - February 10, 2022
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2023*Justin L. Brannan City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/10/2022*Justin L. Brannan City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/10/2022*Justin L. Brannan City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 8

 

Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.

 

By Council Members Brannan, Mealy, Menin, Louis, Yeger, Hanif, Joseph, Ossé, Nurse, Gutiérrez, Avilés, Cabán, Richardson Jordan and Brooks-Powers

 

Whereas, According to TransitCenter, a foundation that works on the improvement of public transit, as of January 2019, there were 97 cities and towns across the world that provide fully fare-free public transit, and there is a growing movement both in the United States and abroad in favor of fare elimination as part of addressing climate change, rising income inequality and socioeconomic disparity; and

Whereas, Currently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) suspends alternate side parking on 37 legal and major holidays in New York City, and DOT also suspends parking meter regulations on some major legal holidays including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and

Whereas, Several metropolitan jurisdictions offer free New Year’s Eve transit to help ease travel options and reduce drunk driving, such as Los Angeles, California (CA); Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis (MN), Minnesota; Toronto, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia; among others; and

Whereas, New York City’s buses, subways, and commuter rail lines were free between 8 am and 8 pm on New Year’s Eve in 1984 and 1985; and

Whereas, Major cities in the United States have offered free transit for selected holidays such as Saint Paul, MN in connection with St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and Los Angeles, CA; Dallas, Texas (TX); Houston, TX; and Tampa, Florida offered free buses and trains on Election Day, November 6, 2018; and

Whereas, In 2005, the MTA offered a fare discount for the holiday season, reducing the base fare by half at the time, to $1 for weekends between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day as well as throughout the last week of December; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make subways and buses fare-free on major holidays.

 

Session 12

JB

LS #1970

1/24/22 1:37pm

 

Session 11

NO

LS #9132

Int. #1017-2019