For the second straight year, state legislators are trying to pass a law allowing Access-A-Ride (AAR) and Able-Ride service providers to cross the Queens/Nassau border within five miles to transport riders to their destinations.
Legislation introduced by Queens State Senator Frank Padavan passed unanimously in the Senate, while Queens Assemblymember Mark Weprin said he was confident the bill would make its way through the Assembly as well.
Last year, a similar bill passed in both legislative houses, but then Governor George Pataki vetoed the bill.
“I’m troubled that this bill was vetoed last year for questionable technical reasons, and I truly feel for those seniors whose lives this affects,” Padavan said in a statement. “It’s my hope that the Assembly will act quickly on this legislation because it is our high-needs residents who are losing out. This bill could correct a major inconvenience.”
Weprin said it is important for the legislation to pass because the areas in question contain numerous hospitals and doctors’ offices that seniors need to go to, but currently cannot easily commute to because of the need to cross county lines.
“I am hopeful that the Governor will sign the bill and not continue this discrimination,” he said.
Currently, AAR vehicles have the leeway to travel three-quarters of a mile over the county line, but lawmakers believe five miles is more conducive to meeting the users’ needs.
However, if the legislation is unsuccessful, Weprin said he would not rule out pursuing legal action against the MTA saying that language in the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) may require the MTA to provide this service already.
Border crossing law for Access-A-Ride
By Pete Davis
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