Stringer: ‘Round the Clock is the New Rush Hour’

New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott M. Stringer has released a report, “Beyond Rush Hour: COVID-19 and The Future of Public Transit,” calling for adjustments to subway and bus schedules and a major change in how New York State’s gas tax is allocated, among other measures. The report contains ridership variations found by borough, time of day and transit mode “underscoring the need to better align public transit with today’s economy.”

Commentary

New York vs. New Jersey: Law, Equity and Politics

For many years, Albert L. Papp, a longtime transit advocate in New Jersey, has referred to the river that separates New York and New Jersey geographically as the “Hudson Ocean.” Today, a conflict between the transit providers in the two states (with Connecticut also playing a minor role) provides the latest example of a feud that bestows credibility upon the moniker that Papp conferred upon the river.

FTA Completes Environmental Review for Penn Station Access Project

The Federal Transit Administration has wrapped up an environmental review of the Metro-North Penn Station (New York) Access Project, issuing on Sept. 24 a formal Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

Transit Briefs: Brightline; LACMTA; NYCT

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, will introduce Brightline+ “door-to-door service.” In addition, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board has approved a fareless plan for K-14 students; and MTA New York City Transit recently celebrated a newly trained class of subway conductors as part of a push to rebuild its frontline workforce.

Transit Briefs: Metrolink, NY MTA, Santa Clara VTA, Sound Transit

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) will test an Earthquake Early Warning System. In addition, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Sept. 10 unveiled the reconfigured 42nd Street Shuttle; California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on Sept. 12 restored complete Blue Line light rail service; and Sound Transit on Sept. 13 kicked off its Fare Ambassador Pilot program.

NYMTA: We’re OK for Three Years

After months of warning about dire financial consequences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on July announced that federal funding will provide financial stability through the first half of 2024, and negate the need for immediate fare increases.

First Look: NYCT Unveils R211s

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) has taken delivery of the first five of 535 Kawasaki R211 rapid transit cars; they will begin qualification testing in the coming weeks.

ESA On Track for ’22 Opening

Civil construction of MTA Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access (ESA) project has wrapped up, with third rail to be electrified and test trains to run this summer before LIRR service to Grand Central Terminal begins in December 2022.

Commentary

COVID-19 Rescue Package Signed: What’s in Store for Transit and Amtrak

Let’s take a closer look at the increases in relief for transit and Amtrak; consider how they will affect service; and examine what transit, Amtrak and their riders can expect in the near future.

NYCT Restoring Overnight Subway Service?

While MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) overnight shutdown has not been canceled, it will be cut in half.

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