“In 2021, the MTA was looking at a $2.5 billion annual deficit, but we have been able to get back on track thanks to the amazing support from Albany,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said Nov. 19 upon release of the agency’s final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. “That support allowed us to stay afloat without cutting service, without any layoffs—and another major factor in this agency’s fiscal stability has been the cost savings that we’ve achieved in recent years.” (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, KC Streetcar, NCTD, WMATA, DART

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases its final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. Also, KC Streetcar will soon reveal plans for the new northern terminus and CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) Pavilion; North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) move forward on transit-oriented development projects; and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board approves contracts to improve security and cleanliness systemwide.

Penn Station New York “Transformation” Project “will be one of the biggest and most significant construction projects in U.S. history, and we want the most skilled and knowledgeable partners to help make it a success,” Special Advisor to the Amtrak Board Andy Byford said in an Oct. 30 statement. (William C. Vantuono Photograph)

PSNY Project Meets ‘Key’ Milestones

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Oct. 30 reported reaching three “key” milestones for the Penn Station New York “Transformation” Project, “keeping construction on track to break ground by the end of 2027.”

Kawasaki’s R268 cars for New York City Transit will run on the “B” division and be designed with specs similar to its R211 cars (pictured). (MTA Photograph)

Kawasaki to Supply 378 More ‘B’ Division Cars to NYCT

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved the purchase of 378 new Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc.-built R268 rapid transit cars for New York City Transit (NYCT), which will run on the “B” (lettered) division and be designed with specs similar to the those for the R211 cars, according to MTA.

NYMTA Releases Climate Resilience Roadmap Update

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Oct. 29 released an update to its Climate Resilience Roadmap on the thirteenth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, “outlining the agency’s strategic priorities in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events and climate change on transit infrastructure across the service area.”

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Denver RTD

The New York Metropolitan Authority’s (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) subway surpasses three billion taps on its contactless payment system. Also, the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) doubles down on its efforts to improve service and enhance the customer experience.

New York MTA on Oct. 15 reported beginning the environmental review process for the planned Interborough Express (IBX) light rail project. (Rendering Courtesy of MTA)

Transit Briefs: MTA, BART, SEPTA

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is beginning environmental assessment of the Interborough Express light rail project. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) ridership is on the rise; and a new quarterly report finds that crime on Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) continues to drop.

(Courtesy of Reinvent Albany)
Commentary

Reinvent Albany: Investing in MTA Is Investing in America

Reinvent Albany, a New York-based government watchdog organization, has released a new report showing that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) spent nearly $19 billion outside New York from 2011 to 2024, supporting

NYMTA photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, LA Metro

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approves fare and toll increases. Also, LA Metro expands cell service availability to the K Line.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, BART, WMATA, STM

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces modifications to proposed fare changes. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) successfully completes the installation of its Next Generation Fare Gates at all stations months ahead of schedule; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) delivers $120 million in savings and record ridership in FY2025; and Montrealers face transit disruptions as the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and maintenance workers continue talks.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA/SIR, BART, DART, MBTA, Bay Area Transit Systems, LA Metro

The Staten Island Railway (SIR) fleet is now entirely made up of the standard R211 subway cars. Also, August Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ridership sees steady growth; Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line will launch on Oct. 25; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) CapeFLYER train reaches record ticket sales for the 2025 summer season; California legislature passes an authorizing ballot measure to address the Bay Area transit emergency; and LA Metro’s A Line Extension officially opens on Sept. 19.

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