N.Y. Pub. Auth. Law § 1264

§ 1264. Purposes of the authority. 1. The purposes of the authority\nshall be the continuance, further development and improvement of\ncommuter transportation and other services related thereto within the\nmetropolitan commuter transportation district, including but not limited\nto such transportation by railroad, omnibus, marine and air, in\naccordance with the provisions of this title. It shall be the further\npurpose of the authority, consistent with its status as the ex officio\nboard of both the New York city transit authority and the triborough\nbridge and tunnel authority, to develop and implement a unified mass\ntransportation policy for such district.\n 2. It is hereby found and declared that such purposes are in all\nrespects for the benefit of the people of the state of New York and the\nauthority shall be regarded as performing an essential governmental\nfunction in carrying out its purposes and in exercising the powers\ngranted by this title.\n