MTA

September 6, 2022

MTA to replace all MetroCard vending machines with OMNY by end of next year

After 23 years of service, the New York City subway system's iconic MetroCard vending machines will be replaced. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will start swapping out the classic machines for OMNY ("One Metro New York") vending machines during the first half of 2023 after finalizing hardware and software testing, as NY1 reported. The entire MetroCard system is expected to be replaced by the end of 2023.
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MTA’s new app combines LIRR, Metro-North ticket purchasing and trip planning

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

August 19, 2022

MTA’s new app combines LIRR, Metro-North ticket purchasing and trip planning

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transporation Authority on Wednesday launched an enhanced version of its TrainTime app that combines ticket purchases for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad and includes a seat availability tracker, real-time train movement, and in-app customer support. The app allows users to log in using their Apple ID, Google account, or through text message, and purchase tickets using Apple Pay.
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Transit

Manhattan officials renew push for new Hell’s Kitchen subway station

Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

August 11, 2022

Manhattan officials renew push for new Hell’s Kitchen subway station

By Aaron Ginsburg

The plan to extend the 7 train to the far west side of Manhattan announced more than a decade ago included building a subway station in Hell's Kitchen. But because of budget cuts, the station was never built. New York City officials this week renewed calls for a subway station at 10th Avenue and 41st Street, claiming the neighborhood's growing population needs better access to public transportation. The 7 line currently runs straight from Times Square to Hudson Yards, without stopping in Hell's Kitchen.
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Transit

Manhattan congestion pricing toll could cost up to $23 for drivers

Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

August 10, 2022

Manhattan congestion pricing toll could cost up to $23 for drivers

By Aaron Ginsburg

MTA officials on Wednesday released the highly-anticipated environmental assessment of the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program, known as congestion pricing. The analysis says that the program could cut traffic congestion in Manhattan's busiest areas by nearly 20 percent while raising $1 billion a year to fund mass transit improvements. Under the proposal, the plan could cost drivers who enter the borough south of 60th Street anywhere between $5 and $23, depending on the time of day and type of vehicle.
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MTA unveils new 18-foot ceilings at Penn Station’s LIRR concourse

Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

August 3, 2022

MTA unveils new 18-foot ceilings at Penn Station’s LIRR concourse

By Aaron Ginsburg

Let there be light! The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday unveiled the first section of new 18-foot ceilings at Penn Station's Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse. Installed by Skanska/AECOM, the new soaring ceilings consist of lighted panels supported by an inventive structural framing system that allowed work crews to remove "head knockers," aging structural beams that limited the height of passageways within Penn Station, earlier this year.
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MTA proposal would expand cell phone service and Wi-Fi to entire subway system

Photo by Philip Ho on Unsplash

July 27, 2022

MTA proposal would expand cell phone service and Wi-Fi to entire subway system

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Tuesday plans to expand cellular service and Wi-Fi throughout the entire subway system. While commuters have been able to use their mobile devices at all underground subway stations since 2017, the proposed project would bring cell connectivity to all tunnels between stations and in above-ground stations. The MTA estimates it would take 10 years to turn the subway system into a fully digitally connected network.
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June 23, 2022

MTA pledges to make 95 percent of subway stations accessible by 2055

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a class action settlement agreement to make 95 percent of currently inaccessible subway stations accessible to those with disabilities over the next three decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday. Currently, just 27 percent of the New York City subway system, including Staten Island Railway stations, are fully accessible to riders with disabilities. Under the agreement, which still requires court approval, the MTA will make accessible 81 stations by 2025, another 85 stations by 2035, another 90 stations by 2045, and the last 90 stations by 2055.
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You can buy the Pride rainbow heart decals that adorn NYC subway cars

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

June 14, 2022

You can buy the Pride rainbow heart decals that adorn NYC subway cars

By Michelle Cohen

Happy Pride Month, New York City. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been showing off its Pride logo decal on select subway cars since they rolled out the design in 2019. The heart-shaped decal was created as part of “50 cars for 50 years after Stonewall,” marking the historic event's 50th anniversary.
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MTA’s East Side Access project renamed ‘Grand Central Madison’

Photo by Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

June 1, 2022

MTA’s East Side Access project renamed ‘Grand Central Madison’

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's long-awaited 700,000-square-foot East Side Access Project will be renamed "Grand Central Madison." The project, which brings Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal, will increase LIRR service systemwide by 40 percent during morning peak service and significantly increase reverse peak service. Grand Central Madison is expected to open in December.
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Subway ridership almost at 90% of pre-pandemic levels in NYC’s working-class neighborhoods

Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

May 26, 2022

Subway ridership almost at 90% of pre-pandemic levels in NYC’s working-class neighborhoods

By Aaron Ginsburg

Subway ridership has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels in New York City's working-class neighborhoods. During the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's monthly board meeting on Wednesday, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in most working-class neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, subway ridership has climbed back up to 70, 80, and for some, 90 percent of pre-pandemic ridership levels. But in the city's major business districts, subway ridership remains way below pre-Covid-19 levels.
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MTA and James Beard Foundation partner to bring New Yorkers to local restaurants

By Michelle Cohen

New Yorkers may seem to need no encouragement to visit the city's bounty of local restaurants, but independent eateries could use a boost after Covid restrictions kept everyone at home. DineAWAY is a joint effort by the MTA and the James Beard Foundation to get residents and visitors to explore New York City's local restaurants and neighborhoods via subways, buses, and commuter rails. DineAWAY sweepstakes offer fabulous foodie prizes like dinner at favorite restaurants and VIP tickets to food festivals.
Delicious details, this way

Nick Cave’s vibrant ‘Soundsuits’ subway station mosaics capture the energy of Times Square

All photos courtesy of MTA/Trent Reeves, unless otherwise noted

May 17, 2022

Nick Cave’s vibrant ‘Soundsuits’ subway station mosaics capture the energy of Times Square

By Devin Gannon

Two new mosaics by the artist Nick Cave were unveiled in Times Square on Monday, completing a permanent artwork and marking the largest mosaic project in New York City's subway system. Commissioned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's public art program, the artwork, titled "Each One, Every One, Equal All," features Cave's wearable sculpture works "Soundsuits" translated into 4,600 square feet of colorful mosaic. The new artwork is part of a larger revamp of the 42nd Street station, including a new entrance and upgraded mezzanine level.
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NYC subway ridership hits highest level since start of Covid

Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

May 10, 2022

NYC subway ridership hits highest level since start of Covid

By Devin Gannon

Ridership on the New York City subway reached a new pandemic-era milestone last week, the Metropolitan Transporation Authority announced. On Thursday, 3,497,122 riders swiped into the system, surpassing the last record set during the pandemic in December 2021. While the new record is a positive sign for the city's recovery, Thursday's ridership is still well below the 2019 weekday average of 5.5 million straphangers.
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MTA keeps mask mandate for NYC subway, despite lift of federal requirement on mass transit

Photo by Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

April 19, 2022

MTA keeps mask mandate for NYC subway, despite lift of federal requirement on mass transit

By Aaron Ginsburg

While mask mandates are being lifted in public transit systems around the country, New Yorkers should expect to wait a little longer to ride the subway unmasked. According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the agency will require masks to be worn throughout the subway, bus, Metro-North, and Long Island Rail Road systems, despite a recent ruling from a federal judge striking down the national mask mandate for airplanes, trains, buses, and other forms of mass transit.
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After Sunset Park shooting, Adams ‘doubles’ number of police officers on subway

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

April 13, 2022

After Sunset Park shooting, Adams ‘doubles’ number of police officers on subway

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Eric Adams said he will double the number of police officers patrolling the transit system after a mass shooting at a subway station in Sunset Park left over two dozen people injured. Police on Wednesday identified 62-year-old Frank James as the suspect; they believe James detonated a smoke device and began shooting on an N train during rush hour Tuesday morning. The additional deployment comes after Adams deployed 1,000 additional officers earlier this year because of a recent uptick in crime on the subway.
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MTA releases revised design for new bus network in Queens

A Q101 bus travels through Queens Plaza North and 27th Street. Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

March 29, 2022

MTA releases revised design for new bus network in Queens

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday released a revised redesign of Queens' sprawling bus network, aimed at making service faster and more reliable for commuters. After the agency's first draft plan in 2019 was not received well by the public (and garnered an unprecedented 11,000 comments of feedback), the MTA returned to the drawing board. The updated proposal for the bus network, which has not been significantly updated in over 100 years, includes revamped routes, new interborough connections, and removing or consolidating other lines.
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Penn Station’s transformation takes next steps with removal of low-hanging beams

All images courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA

March 9, 2022

Penn Station’s transformation takes next steps with removal of low-hanging beams

By Aaron Ginsburg

A major step in the transformation of Penn Station has begun. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Tuesday announced they would begin the removal of seven massive low-hanging beams known as "head knockers," dated structural beams that have limited the height of passageways in Penn Station's Long Island Rail Road Concourse to under 7 feet. The removal of these beams will help project crews reach their goal of increasing the ceiling height to 18 feet across the entire concourse, doubling the width of the 33rd Street corridor to 57 feet, and improving lighting.
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MTA to test platform barriers at 3 stations in Manhattan and Queens

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

February 23, 2022

MTA to test platform barriers at 3 stations in Manhattan and Queens

By Aaron Ginsburg

After the tragic killing of a subway rider pushed in front of a train earlier this month, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has finally heeded the calls of transit advocates and New Yorkers and will be testing platform doors at three stations in Manhattan and Queens. The MTA will be piloting the barriers at Times Square on the 7 line, at Third Avenue on the L line, and at Sutphin Boulevard/JFK on the E line, as MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber told NY1 Wednesday morning.
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NYC announces plan to stop homeless New Yorkers from sheltering on the subway

Photo by Charles16e on Flickr

February 18, 2022

NYC announces plan to stop homeless New Yorkers from sheltering on the subway

By Devin Gannon

New York City will increase enforcement of certain rules in the subway system as part of a broader safety plan to address homelessness announced by Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA on Friday. The NYPD will boost their enforcement of the "rules of conduct," which includes the prohibition of lying down or sleeping in a way that interferes with others, exhibiting aggressive behavior, spitting, smoking, using drugs, and "using the subway for any purpose other than transportation," according to the 17-page plan. "No more just doing whatever you want," Adams said on Friday. "Those days are over. Swipe your MetroCard, ride the system, and get off at your destination."
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NYC commits $75M to Fair Fares program, makes it a permanent part of budget

Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash

February 15, 2022

NYC commits $75M to Fair Fares program, makes it a permanent part of budget

By Devin Gannon

Funding for New York City's Fair Fares program, which offers a 50 percent discount on subway and bus trips for low-income New Yorkers, has been secured annually for the first time ever. Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on Monday announced an agreement to baseline $75 million in funding for the program for the upcoming fiscal year 2023 budget. Fair Fares was originally funded at $106 million in 2020, but pandemic-related budget cuts reduced funding for the program to just over $40 million.
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MTA to roll out fare-capping pilot program for OMNY this month

Image courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

February 8, 2022

MTA to roll out fare-capping pilot program for OMNY this month

By Aaron Ginsburg

In an effort to get riders back on the New York City subway system, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced a pilot fare-capping program that they believe will be "more affordable, more flexible, and more fair." Starting on February 28, subway or bus riders who use the OMNY contactless payment system 12 times within a seven-day period will be automatically upgraded to an unlimited pass for the rest of that week. The fare-capping program will last for at least four months.
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NYC-area transit agencies seek ways to restore ridership post-Covid

Image courtesy of Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

February 1, 2022

NYC-area transit agencies seek ways to restore ridership post-Covid

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City-area transit agencies are looking for ways to restore public transit ridership to the levels they were before the pandemic. The MTA, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, the city's Department of Transportation, and the Partnership for NYC announced on Monday the fourth round of the Transit Tech Lab, a program that aims to find solutions to problems facing the city's public transportation system. The agencies put forth two challenges; the first is a solution to help the public transit system recover from Covid-19 and restore its ridership to pre-pandemic levels. The second is a sustainability challenge, looking for innovations that will better prepare the transit system against extreme weather conditions while leaving less of a carbon footprint.
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14-mile ‘Interborough Express’ route between Brooklyn and Queens moves forward

Image courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

January 21, 2022

14-mile ‘Interborough Express’ route between Brooklyn and Queens moves forward

By Aaron Ginsburg

A public transportation project that could ease the lives of thousands of New Yorkers is gaining momentum. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the completion of a feasibility study for the Interborough Express, moving the project into its next phase of development. The feasibility study yielded promising results, revealing that the new line could serve anywhere between 74,000 and 88,000 riders a day while connecting to 17 subway stops and the Long Island Rail Road. From its start in Bay Ridge to its final stop in Jackson Heights, the route would take 40 minutes.
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Adams, Hochul will increase police presence in NYC subway system to combat homelessness and crime

Image courtesy of Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

January 7, 2022

Adams, Hochul will increase police presence in NYC subway system to combat homelessness and crime

By Aaron Ginsburg

Commuters will soon see more New York City police officers riding the subway, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday. Hochul and Adams on Thursday laid out a new initiative to tackle homelessness by deploying teams of specially trained Safe Options Support officials. These "SOS" teams will consist of mental health professionals who will work with the city's outreach teams to assist homeless New Yorkers. To combat crime in the subway system, Adams has ordered the mobilization of more officers who will patrol stations and board trains to make visual inspections.
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Hochul announces 14-mile-long ‘Interborough Express,’ connecting Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights

Image courtesy of the MTA

January 6, 2022

Hochul announces 14-mile-long ‘Interborough Express,’ connecting Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights

By Aaron Ginsburg

After decades of speculation and discarded plans, better train access could be on the way for New Yorkers living in Queens and Brooklyn. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced in her 2022 State of the State address plans for the development of the "Interborough Express," a major transit service expansion that would connect the boroughs. The proposed expansion takes the Bay Ridge Branch, a freight rail line that already runs through Brooklyn and Queens, and transforms it into a 14-mile arching track stretching from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights. The new track would link up to 17 existing subway lines across the two boroughs, as well as provide a connection to the Long Island Rail Road.
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