Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee

PRESS RELEASE #389

October 19, 2006

PCAC Urges MTA to Pursue Transit Oriented Development

In a report released today, Where is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Transit Oriented Development, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee (PCAC) to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) called upon the MTA and its operating agencies to work in partnership with State and local governments, community organizations, and private developers to encourage Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at appropriate locations throughout the MTA region. Transit Oriented Development, one of a number of smart growth strategies that have been successfully implemented in communities nationwide, is a pedestrian-friendly, compact, mixed-use development pattern that lies within walking distance of a transit station and contains or adjoins a core commercial area. Transit Oriented Development is a valuable tool for reducing congestion and pollution from private vehicles, as well as a source of financial and operational benefits for transit operators.

The report discusses the benefits of and obstacles to implementing Transit Oriented
Development in general and explores the involvement of the State of New York, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), MTA Headquarters, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and NYC Transit with Transit Oriented Development. It examines Transit Oriented Development initiatives in other large urban areas throughout the United States and discusses practices that could be usefully extended to the MTA region by identifying elements of Transit Oriented Development efforts that can be applied to the MTA and its operating agencies. Finally, the report presents recommendations for actions that the MTA and its agencies can take to facilitate Transit Oriented Development and to share in its benefits.

The recommendations contained in the report include coordinating State policy and providing State resources to assist local governments in planning for transit-friendly development, linking land use and transportation in the regional transportation planning process, seeking increased resources to improve planning for Transit Oriented Development throughout the MTA region, enhancing coordination on development issues within the MTA and its operating agencies, building upon existing successful programs to expand operating agencies’ involvement with Transit Oriented Development, and working closely with local governments to effectively use MTA resources to support quality development.

PCAC Chair William K. Guild stated "it is important that the MTA play an active role in shaping the area that it serves and its transportation system. By working with State and local governments, community organizations, and private developers to encourage Transit Oriented Development, the MTA can most effectively use its resources to serve the New York Region."

Copies of the full report are available upon request from the PCAC office at 347 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor or can be downloaded from the Committee’s website at www.pcac.org.

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The PCAC serves as the coordinating body for the three councils created by the New York State Legislature in 1981: the Long Island Rail Road Commuter's Council, the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council, and the New York City Transit Riders Council. The 38 volunteer members are users of the MTA system and represent the interests of the riders. They are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of local elected officials.