The five-year transportation program proposed in Governor Pataki's new executive budget would give $146 million in capital funding to the smaller transit systems. NYPTA's figure - $24 million more than the Governor's - was reached by surveying needs studies for all of the state's transit systems outside the MTA. With the exception of Buffalo's Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which operates a light rail system, the systems are bus-based. The capital budget is thus largely for bus purchases and related costs.

The operating program proposal would secure a more stable future for the state's transit systems, which now must rely on fluctuating annual appropriations for state operating aid. Governor Pataki's proposed budget reduces total state operating aid for most of NY's smaller transit system (see MTR #254), for a total $16.5 million cut. If the Governor's proposed level for non-MTA transit operations were extended from his proposal for this year, the 5-year level would be $1.04 billion, about 2/3 of NYPTA's needs assessment.

NY State transit systems enjoyed a multi-year operating assistance plan from 1993/94 to 1996/97. Since 1997, the state has provided operating assistance on an annual basis, "but at unpredictable levels which do not allow long term strategic planning," according to NYPTA.

The document also says that despite non-MTA transit's 3% share of the State's Dedicated Transportation Trust Fund (for capital funding), "a significant backlog of buses and other capital improvements remains unaddressed." NYPTA: 518-434-9060, www.nypta.org