Gov. Hochul plans to expand transit projects

In Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address Tuesday she announced next steps to plan and engineer expanded transit access across New York City, introduced a new infrastructure hub, and proposed new measures to improve roadway safety and fight toll and fare evasion.

These actions build on Governor Hochul’s legacy of expanding connectivity across the state, making historic investments in infrastructure, and enacting legislation to protect pedestrians and drivers. These actions will increase opportunity for millions of New Yorkers while improving equity and keeping New Yorkers safe. 

“Every New Yorker deserves a safe, efficient commute — whether you’re a straphanger, a driver or a pedestrian,” the governor said. “We’re continuing to move full speed ahead on transformative infrastructure projects that will change the way New Yorkers get around. ”   

Launching infrastructure hub  

Governor Hochul has made a bold investment in New York’s infrastructure, from the historic $32.8 billion five-year Department of Transportation Capital Plan to critical funding commitments for transportation expansions across the state.

These investments promote equity and connectivity.

Combatting toll and fare evasion  

Gov. Hochul announced a series of proposals to limit fare and toll evasion and ensure that everyone who utilizes public infrastructure pays their fair share. These actions include: 

• Increasing monetary fines for fare evasion and purposeful license plate defacement; 

• Increasing toll enforcement activities and banning the sale of “vanish plates;”  

• Allowing police officers to seize license plate covers designed to make plates unreadable; 

• Designating intentional toll evasion as a theft-of-services misdemeanor.  

Governor Hochul’s plan also ensures equitable enforcement by calling for the following reforms: 

•  Allowing police officers to issue written warnings instead of summonses for first time fare evasion offenders.

• Permitting the MTA to allow first-time offenders to have their fine forgiven if they enroll in the Fair Fares program; 

• Enabling the MTA to refund up to 50 percent of the first fine – if paid on-time – to the customer via a fare card;  

• Granting the MTA the same authority to enforce fare evasion on the commuter railroads that currently exists within New York City Transit.  

Promoting lithium-ion battery safety

Lithium-Ion batteries have become an essential part of the transportation landscape, powering e-bikes and mopeds. However, the proliferation of their use has led to dangerous fires and a significant gap in quality of products across the industry, she said.