Local Advocacy Groups Send Message to Governor and Legislature:  Don't Under-Fund Public Transportation

Reconnect Rochester and local advocacy groups held a press conference to call on Governor Cuomo and State Legislators to increase government funding for public transit in the Rochester region.

The transit advocates and customers support the budget proposed by the State Assembly this week that calls for a 9.3 percent increase in operating funds for upstate transit systems. The Assembly’s bill also includes an additional $20 million in capital funding for non-MTA transit systems.

Joining Reconnect Rochester at the event was the Center for Disability Rights, Metro Justice, Rochester People’s Climate Coalition, The Community Design Center of Rochester, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 282, the Rochester Cycling Alliance and members and staff of the New York State Legislature.

“Rochester needs a transit system that serves its citizens in a meaningful way,” said Jason Partyka, chair of Reconnect Rochester’s Bus Innovation Work Group. “When just getting back and forth to work takes two hours a day and an evening trip to Wegmans means another two hours, that is a real time burden on Rochester’s families.

"Without transportation, people with disabilities no longer have access to the community whether it's going grocery shopping, going to doctors appointments or even going to social events,” said Center for Disability Right’s Ericka Jones. “Transportation allows our community to live independent lives."

Aaron Michaeu from Metro Justice had this to say: “Metro Justice advocates for the growth of the public transit system as both a necessity for Black, Brown, working class, and other marginalized communities in Rochester, and as a necessary step in building a sustainable, living-wage economy. Rochester's development should promote mass transit, pedestrian and cycle transport, as a means of providing mobility for all while moving away from fossil-fuel dependency.”

The current transit system was designed for a Rochester that existed decades ago. Today, Rochester is a very different place and its people live very different lives. RTS is a great partner to the community and they do a great job with the resources they have, but the transit system has been diluted in an attempt to expand capacity without the necessary increase in funding. The system is now so watered down it no longer adequately serves our region.

For the past decade, the state budget has only contained increases between 0 percent and 2 percent for transit, which has not kept up with inflation. The budget proposed by the Governor this year only includes a mere 1 percent increase for our transit system, which is why transit advocates and customers support the Assembly’s proposal.

"Having a vibrant public transit system is not only critical for the growth and development of our community, but also an essential link creating social connections between people and places catalyzing a sense of place,” said Aaron Lehman, director of design services at the Community Design Center of Rochester.

Maria Furgiuele, executive director of the Community Design Center added, "We believe strongly in a more equitable distribution of funding and fully support RTS in their request for additional monies in order to provide the community with the excellent public transit service that it so desperately wants and deserves."

“In New York State, emissions from the transportation sector account for 34 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions,” said Heather O’Donnell from the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition’s Transportation committee. “Creating a high-functioning, sustainable, and equitable public transportation system is one of the most meaningful steps we can take towards mitigating climate change and improving air quality in our communities. A thriving public transportation system plays an essential role in ensuring that we cultivate a livable urban environment in Rochester well into the future.”

Brendan Ryan, a member of the Rochester Cycling Alliance board of directors stated:  “Rochester Cycling Alliance works to grow and increase the safety of multiple transportation options including bicycling, mass transit, walking, and intermodal travel. The need for increased transportation flexibility and options permeates all income levels and social classes. The improvement of a mass transit system integrated with bicycle infrastructure and walkable cities benefits everyone by making streets safer for all users, improving economic mobility, decreasing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and reducing carbon emissions.”

A re-designed and expanded transit system would help us improve the quality of life for everybody who lives and works in Rochester.