RMS End of Week Update 3/27/2026

NYS Lawmakers Seek 15% Funding Boost For          Upstate Public Transit In NY State Budget

Earlier this week Senate Transportation Chair Jeremy Cooney, Senator Pat Fahy, Assembly Transportation Chair William Magnarelli, The New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA), and public transit agencies from across Upstate New York rallied on the Million Dollar staircase to call for a 15% funding increase for upstate public transit agencies in this year’s budget. They were joined by a coalition of legislators from across upstate New York.

“We can’t promote affordability in New York without bolstering public transit,” said Senator Cooney. “Public transit is the great equalizer, breaking down barriers to transportation, education, healthcare, and job opportunities. If we don’t ensure our upstate public transit agencies have the resources they need, we miss an opportunity to promote equity, efficiency, and fairness across our communities. A 15% increase isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity to keep all New Yorkers connected.”

“Upstate transit authorities are grappling with the same rising cost of gasoline as working families thanks to the ongoing war with Iran and other external factors,” said Senator Patricia Fahy “Here in the Capital Region, CDTA moves more than 50,000 riders every day across our communities, helping people get to work, medical appointments, and complete other daily tasks. For every dollar we invest in public transit, we generate $5 in economic return that boosts our small businesses and encourages spending in our communities. Working people in particular rely on public transportation, and during periods of energy crises, we see ridership rates and public transit utilization rise as gasoline prices break the bank. This year, a 15% STOA increase isn’t just necessary, it’s the lifeline keeping our public transit authorities afloat, and this year’s final budget must reflect that reality.”

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