Become a Member
To become an appointed member of the NYCTRC, send a letter or an email stating your interest together with your resume to the local elected official for the area in which you reside.
Thank you for your interest in the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC)! The New York City Transit Riders Council was created by the New York State Legislature in 1981 to be the official voice of New York City Transit riders. On this page you’ll more information about our Council and meetings, and how to become a member. You can also view or download a sample letter to send to the appropriate elected official requesting they consider your candidacy.
The NYCTRC is one of three legislatively-mandated rider advocacy councils of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC), along with the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council, and the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council.
NYCTRC’s fifteen volunteer members are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Mayor (5 members), the Public Advocate (5 members) and the five Borough Presidents (1 member each).
There are currently (5) vacancies on the Council, one for positions recommended by the New York City Public Advocate, one for a position recommended by the Queens Borough President, and three for positions recommended by the Mayor, including one member with expertise and interest in expanding bike and pedestrian access to MTA facilities.
The PCAC and Councils, with support from a professional staff, hold regular public meetings, undertake research projects, and advocate on behalf of New York City Transit subway and bus riders, and Staten Island Railway riders, to NYC Transit and MTA leadership, and to elected officials. A representative from each Council sits on relevant MTA agency operating committees and holds a non-voting seat on the MTA Board.
The NYCTRC meets monthly. Council members are expected to attend both NYCTRC and PCAC meetings. NYCTRC public meetings are generally held on the fourth Thursday of the month, unless otherwise noted, from 12 noon to 2:00 PM. PCAC public meetings are held quarterly (March, June, September and December) on the first Thursday of these months, unless otherwise noted, from 12 noon to 2:00 PM.
To apply to become a member of the NYCTRC, you should contact the appropriate elected official to express your interest along with a resume or statement of experience that outlines their qualifications for the position. A sample letter is available on this page. We ask prospective members to send a copy of this correspondence to the PCAC-NYCTRC office at [email protected] or to 2 Broadway, 16th Floor; New York, NY 10004, so that we may follow up on your application.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, please call our office at 212-878-7087 or email [email protected]. Thank you for your interest!