F.A.Q.

 

How is the PCAC funded?
The PCAC receives an annual budget from the MTA which covers the costs for a five-member staff of transportation planning professionals and expenses. However, staff are not employees of the MTA, which allows the PCAC to maintain its independence.
When does the PCAC meet?
Each of the Councils meets monthly, and the PCAC meets as a whole four times a year.  All meetings are open to the public.
How can I find out about meetings, activities, and reports?
If you would like to receive notices of meetings and events, copies of reports, or meeting minutes, please contact us and we will add your name to our mailing list. We maintain separate mailing lists for the PCAC, LIRRCC, MNRCC, and NYCTRC, so be sure to specify the mailing lists on which you would like your name to be placed.
You may choose to receive information either in electronic format (including PDF files) via e-mail, or in printed form via post.
How can I become a member?
To become an appointed member of the LIRRCC, MNRCC, or NYCTRC send a letter stating your interest together with your resume to the local elected official for the area in which you reside.
What is the PCAC?
The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a 38-member advocacy group that represents the interests of the users of the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and New York City Transit.
What is the mission of the PCAC?
The mission of the PCAC is to give users of MTA subway, bus, and commuter rail services a voice in the formulation and implementation of MTA policy, and to hold the MTA Board and MTA management accountable to riders. The PCAC also provides the MTA with informed and timely advice on such matters as service, finance, intergovernmental relations, and management.
How was the PCAC created?
The PCAC was originally formed in 1977 by the MTA Board in response to a recommendation by the MTA Management Study’s Citizens Advisory Committee. The PCAC initially consisted of 29 members appointed by local officials: 15 from New York City; and 14 from the seven New York State suburban counties in the MTA region.
In order to achieve greater independence for the PCAC, the members sought enabling legislation from the New York State Legislature. In 1981, the Legislature passed laws creating three independent riders Councils: the Long Island Rail Road Commuters’ Council (LIRRCC); the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC); and the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC).
Today, the PCAC serves as the coordinating body and funding mechanism for the three Councils. On May 7, 2009 the PCAC was formally mandated by statute and the membership of the PCAC was designated as the combined membership of the three Councils.
What do the PCAC and Councils do?
The PCAC and Councils monitor the operations of the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and New York City Transit and make recommendations for improvements.
The PCAC and Councils hold regular public meetings. Approved minutes are posted on our website (www.pcac.org).
The PCAC and Councils take public positions on issues of importance to MTA riders. The PCAC and Councils testify at hearings on transportation issues conducted by the MTA and other agencies.
The PCAC and Councils conduct public forums that allow riders to express their views on MTA services directly to MTA staff.
The PCAC and Councils conduct and publish studies on MTA operations. The PCAC publishes an annual report on PCAC and the individual Council activities.
Does the PCAC sit on the MTA Board?
Yes. In 1995 the PCAC gained a non-voting seat on the MTA Board. However, each of the three Councils elects its own Board representative and all three are recognized.  The “official” PCAC seat rotates among these three, with each serving for a period of 18 months. The three representatives join other Board members at full MTA Board meetings and serve on Board committees, including: Capital Construction, Planning and Real Estate; Bridges and Tunnels; Capital Program Oversight; Finance; and Audit.
Each Council’s representative sits on the corresponding operating committees for their Councils: the Long Island Committee; the Metro-North Committee; or the NYC Transit Committee.
How are members appointed?
The 38 members of the PCAC are required to be regular users of the MTA , and serve without pay. Members are appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of local elected officials, as follows:

Long Island Rail Road Commuters’ Council
No. of members Recommended By:
5 Nassau County Executive
5 Suffolk County Executive
1 Brooklyn Borough President
1 Queens Borough President
12 Total LIRRCC Membership
Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council
No. of members Recommended By:
5 Westchester County Officials
1 Dutchess County Officials
1 Orange County Officials
1 Putnam County Officials
1 Rockland County Officials
1 Bronx Borough President
1 At-Large
11 Total MNRCC Membership
New York City Transit Riders Council
No. of members Recommended By:
5 New York City Mayor
5 New York City Public Advocate
1 Bronx Borough President
1 Brooklyn Borough President
1 Manhattan Borough President
1 Queens Borough President
1 Staten Island Borough President
15 Total NYCTRC Membership

Total PCAC Membership: 38

Representing MTA Riders Since 1981

 

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