Lawmakers seek 15% funding boost for upstate public transit in NY state budget

Albany, NY (WRGB) — Lawmakers say upstate transit systems need more money to keep up with demand.

Legislators are calling for a 15% funding increase for upstate public transit agencies in this year’s state budget.

Sen. Pat Fahy, D-Albany, said, “This funding has a direct impact. A direct impact on workers, on families, on students.”

Jeremy Cooney, the New York state transportation chair, said more upstate New Yorkers are relying on public transit as the cost of owning a car continues to rise.

“We need to meet this moment, we need to meet this demand. We need to give our transit agencies the funds that they need,” Cooney said.

The New York state budget is due April 1.

A 2022 study from the Center for Washington area study found roughly a third of Capital Region residents living in urban areas, such as Albany or Schenectady, rely on public transportation.