N.Y. Transportation Law § 73-b: Legislative findings and purposes

§ 73-b. Legislative findings and purposes. The legislature hereby

finds, determines, and declares that:

1. the inability of persons in rural areas to access public or private

transportation services often is detrimental to the public health,

safety and general welfare because such persons are thereby unable to

receive regular medical care and public services, do shopping,

participate in specialized recreation and education programs, and obtain

employment;

2. the number and proportion of persons without access to essential

transportation services in rural environs is alarmingly high and could

increase in the future, thereby further increasing the demand for

specialized transportation services in said areas;

3. added social burdens frequently fall upon state and local

governments because of involuntary isolation of individuals and families

in rural areas who are unable to obtain employment, public services,

health care, educational or other essential human services;

4. lack of a comprehensive state policy to promote the development of

coordinated public transportation services in the state's rural regions

has inhibited the formation of such services, thereby contributing to a

great disparity in the nature and levels of transportation services

available in said rural areas and the inefficient use of many existing

transportation resources;

5. such unique rural conditions as low population density, limitations

of size and resources and the general absence of private common carriers

call for more innovation and flexibility in the development of

coordinated public transportation services in rural environs, which

would include more intensive use of existing transportation services

that may now service a single clientele and are frequently

underutilized;

6. existing federal, state and local public transportation assistance

programs are of vital importance in providing mobility to persons in

rural areas of New York state, and increased coordination and more

intensive use of such programs would or could increase the

cost-effectiveness of these programs and enhance the availability of

transportation services to those individuals and families in need; and

7. the establishment of a rural public transportation coordination

assistance program would or could increase the mobility of individuals

and families in the state's rural regions and make available to those in

need more of the limited transportation resources that now exist.

8. the establishment of a rural transportation coordination assistance

program is intended to be in addition to existing programs and services

required of the department of transportation and this act shall in no

manner or means detract from the other services, resources and programs

now provided by such department.