This bill requires all public transportation terminals in New York (including airports, bus stations, and train stations open to the general public) to install assistive listening systems and visual emergency alarms for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Key provisions mandate real-time captioning for announcements, clear signage with universal symbols, and specific technology like induction loops or infrared systems, alongside visual alarms for emergencies that avoid flashing lights. Facilities must comply within 36 months of the law's effective date, excluding private-use terminals like those owned exclusively by companies. The law defines "public-use" terminals as those available without prior owner approval and specifies technical standards developed by state councils.
This bill prohibits school bus drivers from using hands-free mobile telephones while operating a bus carrying students. It directly affects school bus drivers during student transport, with exceptions only for emergencies (like contacting emergency services) or when the bus is parked safely off the road. The law explicitly bans phone use during operation with students on board, except for emergency communications or specific official duties. The bill aims to reduce distractions for drivers transporting children, aligning with broader traffic safety goals.
Establishes the crimes of criminal trespass on a school bus, school grounds or children's camp; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles, in consultation with the commissioner of transportation, to promulgate rules and regulations for certain signage on school buses; relates to professional development school bus driver safety training seminars statewide.
Requires the metropolitan transportation authority to post signage over mass transit seats indicating that individuals should give up their seats for the elderly, pregnant and disabled; provides such signage shall be conspicuously posted and visible from all seats; provides costs and expenses to be paid through appropriated funds.
Authorizes the commissioner of motor vehicles to impose higher civil penalties upon motor carriers who fail to report to the commissioner of motor vehicles certain disqualifying violations by bus drivers employed by such carrier.
This bill extends New York City's on-demand E-hail paratransit pilot program until March 31, 2027, and requires expanding it to include 1,200 additional Access-A-Ride paratransit users by March 2026. The program allows eligible Access-A-Ride users to book immediate rides via smartphone app or phone, with fares matching standard bus/subway base rates and service hours aligned with regular transit. Expansion must use existing 2019 funding levels and select a representative sample of users across age, disability, location, and ride frequency. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority must report on pilot usage, costs, and ridership by April 2027.
Requires all bus companies to post on their internet websites or at the places they sell tickets, certain information maintained by the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Removes references to the electric school bus mandate; provides that there shall be no mandate requiring school districts to purchase, operate or maintain any certain type of school buses and that the superintendent of each school district shall have the sole authority to determine the types of school buses such school district will purchase, operate and maintain; repeals certain provisions of law relating to electric school buses.
This bill allows local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages) and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) to install cameras on school buses to capture drivers who fail to stop for school buses. It authorizes the use of stationary or mobile photo monitoring systems to document violations of school bus stop laws, with local governments bearing all installation and maintenance costs. The footage cannot be used in school disciplinary proceedings or for licensing actions against bus operators. School districts or BOCES must handle the footage per agreement but cannot access it for disciplinary purposes.
This bill extends New York City's on-demand E-hail paratransit pilot program until March 2027, expanding it to include 1,200 additional Access-A-Ride paratransit users. It requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to add these new users by March 2026, selecting them to represent diverse demographics (age, disability, location, and usage patterns). The pilot allows enrolled users to book immediate rides via smartphone app or phone, with fares matching standard bus/subway rates and no limits on ride duration or frequency. The MTA must also report on ridership, usage, and costs by April 2027.
