Senate Passes Balboni Bill Easing Public Transportation for People With Disabilities Across County Lines

The New York State Senate gave final legislative approval to a bill sponsored by Senator Michael Balboni that will allow people with disabilities to more easily cross over the Queens County and Nassau County border on public transportation. Under the legislation, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Long Island Bus service must coordinate with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to coordinate a system to improve service between the two counties.

Senator Balboni said, "This legislation is long overdue and will provide people with disabilities the quality, reliable transportation that they deserve."

Currently, Queens and Nassau Counties provide services for disabled persons, including those disabled due to illness, injury, age or other semi-permanent incapacity, who are generally unable to utilize mass transportation. Individuals are picked up at their residences and transported to a doctor's appointment or other location. If, however, the individual starts his or her trip in Queens and his/her destination is in Nassau County, that person would be dropped off at the border of Queens County and then required to cross over on their own or be picked up at the border by a bus service from Nassau County.

Under Senator Balboni's legislation (S.3575A), the LIRR and Long Island Bus service must set up a reciprocal agreement with the MTA to traverse the Queens County and Nassau County borders within a five-mile radius of the borderline to deliver disabled passengers to their destination.

The legislation has also passed the State Assembly and now goes to Governor Pataki for consideration.