Statement: Advisory Panel Report
December 15, 2004
The New York State Advisory Panel on Transportation Policy for 2025, a group of transportation experts from across the state, has released its report on the findings and recommendations from the nine public hearings held throughout New York State this past summer. The panel’s report, “ Transportation -- Trouble Ahead” 
, documents the extent and importance of New York’s diverse transportation system, outlines recent trends and policy issues, and presents a set of findings and recommendations that, if implemented, will result in an improved transportation system that meets the needs of our citizens and businesses for years to come.
The report also emphasizes the trouble that lies ahead if we do not act quickly and decisively to address the ever increasing demands placed on the state’s transportation system with new investments and strategies for success. Changes in global trade, technology and traffic have dramatically impacted the way we do business and have placed additional stress on the transportation network.
Our commitment to a first class transportation network has given us much to be proud of in New York. Our willingness to invest in all modes of transportation has resulted in improved conditions, increased safety and high levels of usage and customer satisfaction.
However, both the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are at the end of our multiyear transportation financing programs. At the same time, the federal transportation legislation, which provides a significant share of our infrastructure funding, is more than a year overdue for enactment and its outcome is uncertain. The state’s dedicated transportation fund needs replenishment now, or we will not be able to maintain our existing transportation system and provide the improvements needed to support our economy and quality of life now and into the future. Crafting new transportation investment programs under these conditions presents an enormous challenge to the state’s decision makers.
I was honored to chair the advisory panel’s public hearings and hear directly from transportation providers, stakeholders and our citizens throughout New York State about the needs and issues affecting every mode of transportation, from Manhattan to Watertown. We heard loud and clear that the transportation system is vital to individual travel needs, from daily commuters to the mobility impaired. Transportation is also the key to our economy, whether it’s the delivery of goods for business or travel to tourism destinations. Further, we heard that transportation must be safe, secure and compatible with the environment.
The Panel developed three overarching findings from the hearings:
New York State’s transportation system is under stress and conditions will worsen unless the state changes the planning, investment, management and institutional relationships that drive the system;
Multiple transportation operations in the state must be integrated to form a seamless system that delivers improved service while enhancing the environment. The NYSDOT is the only statewide multimodal transportation agency and must lead a comprehensive effort to optimize the transportation system; and
New York State must develop a new strategy that provides substantial, sustainable and predictable funding dedicated to transportation investments.
These findings are supplemented with many well thought out policy recommendations.
The panel makes it clear that bold leadership must be provided by transportation agencies, government officials, business leaders and other stakeholders to address the transportation issues of today and tomorrow, and develop a plan that provides for the necessary investments. As Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, I will help lead this discussion.
I want to congratulate the panel on its hard work during the past months, its commitment to improving transportation, and its production of a thoughtful, high quality report that can serve as a blueprint for addressing our state’s transportation needs. We will use the panel’s report, and the information obtained at the many public hearings, in developing the policy recommendations for our upcoming State Transportation Master Plan. I look forward to working with the panel members on a public discussion of their findings and the need for action on transportation.
