MTA Long Island Rail Road

Commentary

More Fun Times and Unintended Consequences Ahead?

FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE JANUARY 2025 ISSUE: Politicians and political writers have it easy. Suffering from a post-election malaise? Have no fear! Matt Gaetz to the rescue! Thousands of hours of news coverage, hundreds of thousands of words, tons of printer and pen ink spilled over one sycophant’s selfish, immature, illegal and disrespectful behavior.

Grand Central Madison (pictured) was selected for the World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Stations 2024 List, along with Schafbergbahn Station in St. Wolfgang, Austria; Bell Station in Melbourne, Australia; Beijing Station in Beijing, China Toulouse; Matabiau Station in Toulouse, France; and Chiaia Metro Station in Naples, Italy. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: UNESCO Award; Canadian Transit Hub, TOD Projects

UNESCO recognizes New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Grand Central Madison with a “World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Station” interior award. Also, the Kitchener Central Transit Hub and Toronto’s 50 Wilson Heights TOD (transit-oriented development) advance in Ontario, Canada.

Transit Briefs: Station Yards, NYMTA, NJ Transit, KC Streetcar

The next phase of Station Yards, a transit-oriented development spanning 53 acres around the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station, is unveiled. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new campaign showcasing workers behind public transit; NJ Transit hosts its second large-scale public transportation event workshop in advance of FIFA World Cup 2026; and the KC Streetcar resumes service.

Work has officially begun along all parts of the 9.7-mile (15.6-kilometer), 15-station Ontario Line subway, which will run from Exhibition Place through the downtown core and connect to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Don Mills Road. (Map Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, City of Edmonton, Amtrak, MBTA, NYMTA, Sound Transit

Work is now under way across all contracts that make up Metrolinx’s Ontario Line project. Also, AECOM has been selected as design partner for the Capital Line South Light Rail Transit Extension project in Alberta; Amtrak and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launch separate rail marketing campaigns; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) breaks ground on Grand Central Madison’s 45th Street entrance; and Seattle’s Sound Transit advances the Kent Station Parking and Access Improvements project on the Sounder S Line.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, DART, LA Metro, TriMet, Jacobs, Denver RTD

Amtrak debuts a new integration with Google to support more sustainable transportation choices. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is named Agency of the Year by Latinos In Transit (LIT); LA Metro shares its Mobility Concept Plan for the 2028 Olympic games; TriMet approves a new labor contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appoints Jacobs as the program management consultant for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Station Improvements Project; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) marks 30 years of light rail.

Under the proposed MTA 2025-2029 Capital Plan, New York City Transit will add 1,500 new subway cars to its fleet. (MTA Photograph)

NY MTA Eyes $68.4B Capital Plan for 2025-29 (UPDATED 9/26)

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Sept. 18 released its proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan that would invest $68.4 billion in rebuilding, improving, and expanding its system of subways, buses, commuter railroads, bridges, and tunnels. It would put the agency “on a path to state of good repair,” with investments in railcars, power, and signals; improve the customer experience, with investments in accessibility, stations, and modern fare gates; and take action on climate change, including resilience and sustainability initiatives, MTA said. While covering the cost of the plan is still in question, the MTA Board approved it on Sept. 25.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Amtrak, Metro-North, DART, UDOT, MBTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new feature on its TrainTime app. Also, Amtrak launches the Floridian, with daily service between Chicago and Miami; Metro-North Railroad launches a pilot program for customers to report restrooms in need of maintenance; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) signs a 10-year office lease at Knoll Trail Crossing; the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) gets ready to begin a statewide passenger rail feasibility study; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wins $472 million in federal funding to replace the North Station Draw One Bridge.

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