Chuck has made it priority to help ensure that our transit systems — from air service to subways to buses to highways to commuter rails — are as accessible and efficient as possible.

• Access to Upstate: Securing reliable, affordable air service for all of New York State has been one of Chuck's top priorities, both for the convenience of local residents and also to put in place the infrastructure needed for long-term economic growth. One of his proudest achievements has bringing Jet Blue service to Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, and working to expand air service to Oneida County, and bring Trailways and Southwest to Albany. In June 2004, Chuck welcomed Independence Air to seven Upstate markets. He continues to actively lobby airlines large and small to fly to more markets Upstate. As a result of Chuck's efforts, airports across Upstate have seen record passenger growth and fare have dropped dramatically.
  
  
• Better Airports: Chuck brought home federal money for improvements at airports in Ticonderoga, Oneida County, the Southern Tier, Plattsburg and Lake Placid, the Hudson Valley, the North Country, and Cortland County, and continues to fight to increase funding for Essential Air Service and Small Community Air Service Development grants. In 2005, Chuck secured almost $1 million in Small Communities to expand service in Ithaca, Massena, and the Hudson Valley.
  
  
• Making Trains Secure: Chuck has fought for increased funding to enhance rail and Amtrak security following the September 11 terrorist attacks. In the wake of the deadly bombings in Madrid and London, Chuck has fought the Bush Administration to increase funding for mass transit security and divert more funding to New York’s transit operators so they can make desperately needed security improvements to keep New York’s millions of daily commuters safe and secure. This year, Chuck led a bipartisan coalition of Senators to try and increase funding for mass transit security grants to more $1.2 billion for FY2006. Chuck also successfully lobbied Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to remove spending restrictions that were preventing the MTA from purchasing bomb sniffing dogs.
  
  
• Improving New York State’s Transportation Systems: In this year’s Highway Bill, Chuck secured over $16.5 billion in total federal spending for New York highways, bridges, tunnels and rails, a substantial increase of approximately $3 billion more funding than in the last transportation bill. Specifically, the legislation includes $10.07 billion in highway funds and $6.5 billion for New York State’s transit systems, a 19 percent increase in annual average highway spending and a 30 percent increase in public transit funding compared to the previous six year transportation authorization bill. Chuck secured $230 million in special projects in every region of New York.
  
  
• Help for Commuters: Chuck has led the charge to increase mass transit tax credit that would save commuters money, while reducing highway congestion. This will help workers deal with rising gas prices and make commuting cheaper for across the state.
  
  
• Improving Freight Rail Safety: Chuck has fought to make rail crossings and rail shipments of hazardous materials safer. The Rail Crossing and Hazardous Materials Transport Act sets tougher minimum and maximum fines for fatal accidents and establishes new requirements for investigations, inspections and the use of new safety technology. The legislation aims to crack down on negligent railroad companies and require the broader use of modern technology to protect the public from more fatal crossing and hazardous materials accidents. Chuck also convinced the Department of Homeland Security to drop its plan to remove safety placards from freight rail shipments.
  
  

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