Referred to:  The Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation Committee (Chairwoman Petit and Legislators Erner, Fabiano, Litts, and Nolan), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Criswell, Roberts, and Ronk)

Legislator Phil Erner offers the following:

WHEREAS, social justice demands equitable paratransit services; and

WHEREAS, in 2022 Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) provided service to 16,497 ADA paratransit passengers; and

WHEREAS, in our predominantly rural County many origins and destinations are located far from major roads where most regular fixed-bus routes travel; and

WHEREAS, present State law only requires paratransit services within ¾ mile of regular fixed-bus routes; and

WHEREAS, many paratransit-eligible County residents live and/or work beyond ¾ mile from a regular fixed-bus route; and

WHEREAS, in the 2023 Session, the State Legislature considered A.4165 and S.4739 regarding mandatory expansion of paratransit services by counties; and

WHEREAS, disability-rights groups including Ulster County-based Resource Center for Accessible Living support the State legislation; and

WHEREAS, New York Association on Independent Living has the State legislation as part of its Public Policy Priorities in its 2023 Disability Priority Agenda; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County wishes to demonstrate its commitment to disability justice with this Resolution; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that within three months from the adoption of this policy, the Department of Public Transportation shall begin to expand paratransit services, from its present three-quarters mile limit, to within three miles of regular fixed-route bus service; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Department of Public Transportation shall not fail to schedule paratransit service only because a request comes less than 24 hours in advance; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that Ulster County hereby requests that State and Federal governments contribute funding toward this program, under the 14th amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, not to “deny to any person … the equal protection of the laws”; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that Ulster County hereby declares its support for A.4165 and S.4739 in the State Legislature urging State to enact and fund the same as soon as possible,    

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                         NOES:    

Passed Committee: Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation on ____________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

TBD