New York to Integrate Transportation Agencies

Gov. George E. Pataki announced plans to more closely coordinate the management of New York State's transportation agencies and authorities, with a goal of creating a seamless statewide transportation system -- by forging strategic partnerships among state agencies, operators and service providers -- that will ultimately create economic efficiencies in government and more efficiently move people and goods throughout the State's transportation system.

The governor has also directed New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Joe Boardman to lead the integration effort and to develop an action plan that will begin to produce results in the very short term, starting with better coordination among upstate transportation systems like the DOT, Thruway Authority, Bridge Authority, and other transportation providers.

"We are proud of what we've already accomplished and we look forward to building on these successes to ensure the people of New York continue to have the best transportation system possible," Gov. Pataki said. "Giving haulers a unified permitting system, offering commuters a single 'smartcard' to use interchangeably on subways, railways, and highways, and upgrading technology across transportation modes to keep travelers informed of up-to-the-minute changes in traffic patterns are just a few of the synergies this federation will allow us to achieve."

The efficient operation of both New York's passenger and freight transportation infrastructure -- highways, transit, rail, aviation and waterways -- is critical to sustaining economic growth, attracting new businesses and residents, and creating jobs.

In upstate New York, integration efforts among the transportation agencies will begin by coordinating transportation planning and policy-making functions; consolidating redundant administrative and engineering functions; coordinating operations; and eliminating duplicative requirements like separate permitting and data collection. This integration will be achieved through partnerships, memorandums of agreement, contracts, and shared services agreements between agencies to achieve efficiencies and produce the desired policy outcomes.

Commissioner Joe Boardman said, "Whether you're a tourist traveling from NYC to Buffalo or a business in Binghamton waiting for a freight delivery from Montreal, your number one priority is reliability throughout the entire trip regardless of who owns the road, railway, or public transit system you use. Gov. Pataki's vision for transportation reform will provide the flexibility to deliver a seamless system by capitalizing on the best our agencies have to offer while eliminating duplication and saving dollars."

"With limited financial resources to fund competing transportation needs, we must improve the efficiency of our existing systems to remain economically competitive. Better integration will ensure the provision of better service to the public, thus positioning New York to take maximum advantage of its extensive and diverse transportation assets," Commissioner Boardman said.

New York State Thruway Chairman John Buono said, "New York State has always been in the forefront of transportation innovation. The governor's plan to reform our transportation systems will continue this trend and embraces my goal of improving the Thruway Authority's collaboration efforts with other agencies."

The state DOT has already made significant progress in its plans to transform internally and respond to the economic and technological challenges affecting transportation. This internal culture change is designed to separate the department's functions into two clear and distinct roles: "transportation system integrator" -- to handle policy, planning, and resource utilization; and "transportation system operator" -- to build, operate, and maintain highways, bridges, and other infrastructure. These fundamental principles will provide a framework for broader interagency transportation reform efforts.

Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer was formerly the First Deputy Commissioner at State DOT. Mr. Fleischer led the initiation of state DOT's transformation process, and since his arrival at the Thruway Authority, has been working to improve the cooperative efforts of the two agencies.

Mr. Fleischer said, "Improved cooperation and coordination among the State's transportation providers will foster better connections across the State's transportation system. People and businesses are seeking to move goods or themselves from one place to another, which often includes utilizing more than one segment of the transportation system. For New York's transportation system to achieve its optimal performance, the connections between transportation parts must work in order for the entire transportation system to work."