NYMTA Adopts 2021 Budget— Assuming Federal Relief

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board on Dec. 16 agreed on a 2021 budget and 2021-24 financial plan that assumes federal relief will arrive—despite Congress’ continuing debate on the next COVID-19 relief package. Officials said the budget assumes MTA will receive $4.5 billion as part of that package.

For New York MTA, a ‘Fiscal Tsunami’

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority outlined a “worst-case” 2021 spending plan at its Nov. 18 Board meeting. Proposed are service reductions of 40% across subways and buses, and of 50% across Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad (MNR), with layoffs of nearly 9,400. Also on continued pause: MTA’s $51.5 billion capital plan. The moves could go forward in absence of $12 billion in federal aid, MTA said.

MTA Metro-North, LIRR Testing Air Filtration Technology

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) two commuter railroads are starting a pilot test this month of a railcar air filtration and purification system from Knorr Brake Co. and its subsidiary Merak North America LLC.

Commuter Rail Coalition: ‘Reopening New York’ Virtual Event, Oct. 6

“Reopening New York” is the fourth virtual event of the Commuter Rail Coalition’s (CRC) “Adapt. Evolve. Innovate. Operating Commuter Railroads in a Pandemic” series. It will be held Oct. 6.

MTA Is A-OK on PTC

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has made “major progress on implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) on MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Metro-North Railroad, reaffirming both railroads will be in full PTC operations by the end of 2020.”

LIRR, Metro-North Report Increased Ridership

Officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced ridership on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) was 28,089 on June 8, the first day of New York City’s Phase 1 reopening, totaling 13% of the agency’s pre-pandemic ridership figures, up from 3% mid-pandemic.

LIRR (73%), Metro-North (82%) A-OK on PTC

The presidents of MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and MTA Metro-North Railroad have announced that Positive Train Control (PTC) has been activated on the majority of their tracks, and both railroads remain on pace to complete system-wide activation of PTC by the end of 2020 as required under a Federal legislation.

NYMTA Work Force Gradually Replenishing

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on April 20 announced that the number of employees who have returned to work following mandatory quarantines is now higher than those still out on quarantine. System-wide, 5,033 employees have returned to work, compared with 4,112 employees currently out on quarantine.

New York MTA: $51.5 billion Capex Plan

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Sept. 16 released a proposed $51.5 billion 2020-2024 capital investment plan it describes as “by far the highest in the MTA’s history, increasing spending on infrastructure by 70% over current levels.” MTA plans to invest more than $40 billion in New York City Transit subways and buses as well as make major investments in the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North commuter rail networks.

LIRR Debuts M-9s

After roughly two years’ worth of delays, MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has taken the wraps off its new M-9 EMU (electric multiple-unit) commuter railcars. The first eight-car trainset departed Sept. 11 at 6:50 am from Huntington.

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