pdf Attached (2.74 MB) is the transit funding section of the recently signed 2014 Transportation MOU which discusses the agreement between the Governor and the Legislature on the distribution of state capital funding for upstate and downstate suburban transit systems contained in the 2014-15 budget. This document describes how projects will be selected for the $5 m. in New York Works capital funding and the $10 m. in unallocated 2005 Transportation Bond Act funding.
The Commissioner of Transportation will have $5 m. available for transit projects that improve mobility, relieve traffic congestion, implement corridor-based solutions and promote intermodal connectivity. The process for accessing these funds is not yet available.
The other $10 m. will be available for capital projects recommended by the State Senate and Assembly and approved by the Commissioner of Transportation. Projects must be recommended within 60 days of enactment of the budget, have a minimum 10 year service life and and be supported by the local transit sponsor. Any transit capital activity allowed under current law is eligible, including but not limited to replacement of existing revenue vehicles or purchase of new vehicles for capacity expansion, rehabilitation or construction of passenger transfer or maintenance facilities, park and ride facilities, and deployment of new technologies that promote energy conservation. If you have a suitable transit project that meets these eligibility requirements, you may want to provide it to your local state legislator in the next week or two for consideration.
The MOU also references the $16.4 m. in unspent Bond Act funding that was originally allocated to individual transit systems. These funds are now available to those recipients with remaining funds for any eligible transit capital purpose. Those systems with unspent Bond Act funding should contact NYSDOT to discuss how to access this funding.
Note that the MOU also references the $5 m. already provided for transit capital projects in the SFY 2013-14 state budget. This is not new money, only a repeat of last year's appropriation.
NYPTA will provide more information on accessing these funds as it becomes available.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Zerrillo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..