» ESPA Response To DOT Master Plan

March 3, 2006

Thomas J. Madison, Commissioner
NYS Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, New York 12232

Dear Commissioner Madison:

On behalf of the Empire State Passengers Association (ESPA), I am writing to provide comments on the Department’s draft long range plan entitled “Transportation Strategies for a New Age: New York’s Transportation Plan for 2030.”

We are pleased that the Department’s vision for transportation outlines a strategy to improve transportation services to users within very distinct transportation corridors in the State.  We also noticed that this vision calls for a “… seamless system in which travelers can conveniently shift between modes and operators to complete trips that meet their individual and business needs….” Similar words and almost identical ideas have been articulated by members and officers of ESPA for well over two decades.  While it is gratifying that the NYS Department of Transportation has chosen to make these views the basis for a long-range planning document, the members of ESPA continue their quest to transform these eloquently phrased beliefs into tangible actions by the Department.

If you recall, last year, the New York State Advisory Panel on Transportation Policy for 2025 released a document entitled “Transportation – Trouble Ahead.” This report made three significant findings that each called for immediate action by the Department.  If we assume that this year’s planning report produced by DOT is in response to last year’s findings and recommendations, we believe that this current report is sorely lacking sufficient details to effectively identify specific goals, objectives, timeframes or funding sources.  Further, while the current document is insightful in its ability to identify concerns and issues within the current transportation system, it is woefully inadequate because it does not provide well-reasoned solutions to these concerns and issues. 

Additionally, we are extremely disappointed that the current report does not fully acknowledge the role intercity passenger rail can play within the various transportation corridors in the State (especially west of Albany).  We encourage the Department to consider and include within this current report some of the many improvements and ideas suggested by the members of the New York State Senate High Speed Rail Task Force (see December 23. 2005 report entitled “Connecting New York’s Future”). 

Finally, we continue to believe that a plan is a detailed program of action.  With this in mind, we ask that the Department rise to the occasion, and produce a comprehensive planning document that addresses the State’s transportation challenges and seizes the opportunities both across transportation modes and jurisdictions.  We expect the Department to lead a comprehensive effort to optimize the transportation systems in New York State.

Sincerely,

Bruce B. Becker
President