Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (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, communication, and management. The PCAC consists of 38 members all of whom are regular MTA commuters on Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and New York City Transit. The PCAC is the coordinating body and funding mechanism for the three riders councils created by the NYS Legislature in 1981: the Long Island Rail Road Commuter’s Council (LIRRCC); the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC); and the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC). These councils were created to give users of the MTA services a say in the formulation and implementation of MTA policy and to hold the MTA board and management accountable to riders. In order to accomplish these ends, the PCAC and councils hold regular public meetings and forums, undertake frequent research projects, and maintain a support staff of transportation planning professionals. The PCAC has held a non-voting seat on the MTA Board since 1995. Each council selects a representative to the MTA Board. These representatives sit on the relevant MTA agency operating committee at all times, and share the PCAC Board seat in turn. The 38 members of the PCAC are required to be regular users of the MTA system, and serve without pay. Members are appointed by the Governor’s office, upon the recommendation of county executives and, for New York City, the mayor, public advocate, and borough presidents. There are currently 12 seats on the LIRRCC, 11 seats on the MNRCC, and 15 seats on the NYCTRC.