(Courtesy of MTA)

For NY MTA, ‘Record-Breaking’ 2025 Performance, Ridership

Nearly 1.9 billion trips were taken on New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway, bus, and paratransit services in 2025—up roughly 7% from 2024—and the subway, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad

“We’re thrilled to see record ridership on Metro-North,” MTA Metro-North President Justin Vonashek said. “From Super Express trains to delighting customers with our holiday lights trains, we’re always finding new ways to enhance the rider experience.” (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SMART, HART, CTA, Santa Clara VTA

Ridership records are set for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter railroads and California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit District (SMART). Also, the fiscal year 2025 audit for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) receives a “favorable opinion from independent auditors”; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advance transit-oriented development (TOD) projects.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, STV, NYMTA, Amtrak/USRC

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) system-wide ridership decreases 1% in November. Also, STV’s Quantico Station Improvement Project wins an American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC Virginia) Grand Award; Governor Kathy Hochul vetoes a bill that would require two-person crews on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subway trains; and Amtrak and Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) leaders approve an agreement to restore federal control of the facility.

Three shortlisted teams have received initial Request for Proposals for managing, operating, and maintaining the MBTA Commuter Rail system; the current contract with Keolis Commuter Services expires June 30, 2027. (MBTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, Alto, NYMTA, CTA, NJT

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) shortlists three Commuter Rail operator teams. Also, Alto, Canada’s planned Toronto-Québec City HSR (high-speed rail) system, “could see dozens of daily trains”; crime is at a 16-year low on New York MTA subways; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) unveils a “security surge” plan; and New Jersey Transit (NJT) encourages holiday giving through the digital “Chance For Change” program.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SkyTrain, KC Streetcar

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces major congestion pricing-funded subway improvement projects moving forward. Also, Canada and TransLink invest in traction power upgrades across Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain network; and KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Extension officially enters the testing phase.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, VIA Rail, Mass. Government

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unveils a collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Also, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) unveils its 2026-2029 Accessibility Plan; and a new Massachusetts law shields transit workers from assaults.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, PANYNJ, LA Metro, Ontario Government, SJJPA, Austin Light Rail

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new Capital Program Dashboard. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH commuter rail records its second-busiest month since the pandemic; all five of LA Metro’s rail lines post gains in weekend ridership; the Ontario government extends the OneFare program to keep transit costs down for riders; the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) restores the seventh Gold Runner round trip; and Austin Light Rail receives a “medium-high” rating from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow, MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer, and other officials cut the ribbon on the new Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility in Sunset Park on Nov. 21. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Watch: NYMTA Launches Railcar Acceptance, Testing Facility

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Nov. 21 opened “on time and under budget” what it is calling a “first-of-its-kind” Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility.

“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.

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.”

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