Steps to full service restoration in the New York City area

[daveklepper]

 

MTA Announces Creation of Blue-Ribbon Panel to Combat Fare Evasion

“Fareness” Blue-Ribbon Panel Will Develop Recommendations to Reduce Fare Evasion Across Subways, Buses, Commuter Rails and Bridge and Tunnel Crossings   Farebox and Toll Revenue Accounts for 50% of MTA’s Operating Budget; Fare Evasion Projected to Cost the Authority $500 Million This Year  At a breakfast hosted by the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced the creation of a blue-ribbon panel that will develop fresh approaches to reducing fare evasion across the entire MTA system of subways, buses, commuter rails, bridges and tunnels. Members of the “Fareness” panel will focus on innovative approaches to encourage fare payment through education, equity, and enforcement. The panel will also look at how technological, design, and personnel solutions can help limit fare evasion.  Farebox and toll revenue account for 50% of the MTA’s operating budget. In recent years, fare evasion has nearly tripled on the subway from about 3% to more than 12%. On buses, approximately 1 out of every 3 bus riders evades the fare. Fare evasion on bridge and tunnel crossings has also become an issue with an increase in fake and obscured license plates designed to evade tolling cameras.  “Our New York sense of fairness and community is violated when rule-abiding, honest folks – people who tap or swipe because they know it’s the right thing to do, even if it’s a stretch economically – see others dodging the fare,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “What hardworking, fare paying New Yorkers tell us, in a word, is that seeing fare evasion makes them feel like suckers. Fare evasion is a problem we need to solve together. That’s why I am convening a panel of distinguished New Yorkers to take a deep dive into the issue. The goal is to hit the reset button on how we approach fare evasion at the MTA and across government.”  The panel will review approaches that can combat fare evasion with a focus on three key areas: education, equity, and enforcement.  Education  To better spread the word that paying the fare is the right thing to do, the panel will look at creative ways to communicate that message to customers of all ages. Communication across all platforms will be discussed to address fare evasion, which has become an increasing problem among a diverse array of customers across the socioeconomic spectrum.  Equity  The panel will explore how the MTA can work with City partners to expand access to the MTA system for low-income New Yorkers so that no one is denied connections to jobs and educational opportunities due to an inability to pay. One approach will be to take a fresh look at the City’s Fair Fares program, which provides MetroCards discounted at 50% of the regular fare to New Yorkers living below the poverty line.   Only 200,000 of the 800,000 New Yorkers who qualify for Fair Fares take advantage of the program. Working with the City, the MTA will push for more New Yorkers to enroll in Fair Fares by making it more inclusive and easier to access.  Enforcement  A law enforcement presence in the transit system keeps customers safe and deters fare evasion. Critics of past approaches to fare evasion enforcement have raised serious questions about equity and racial justice. The panel will look at those questions and recommend fresh solutions that respond to them – considering, for example, greater use of civil penalties; possible increased reliance on civilian MTA staff to do fare compliance checks; and reserving criminal law enforcement for the most serious cases of recidivism or of evasion linked to violent crime.  The panel’s efforts will include partnering with the five district attorneys’ offices to seek a uniform five-borough approach to what will and won’t be charged and under what circumstances.  Announced Today “Fareness” Blue-Ribbon Panelists  ·David Banks, Chancellor, NYC Department of Education  ·Matthew Fishbein, Former Executive Assistant District Attorney, Kings County; former partner, Debevoise & Plimpton; former Chief of Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York and former First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York  ·Michael Hardy, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, National Action Network  ·David Jones, President and CEO, Community Service Society; MTA Board Member  ·Roger Maldonado, Partner, Smith Gambrell LLP; former president, New York City Bar Association  ·Melva Miller, CEO, Association for a Better New York  ·Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, COO, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy & Research, NYU   ·Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President, Regional Plan Association   ·Michael Sonberg, Retired Judge, New York City Criminal Court and Retired Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court; former President, International Association of LGBTQ Judges  ·Natalia Quintero, Senior VP of Innovation, Partnership for the City of New York and Founding Director of Transit Innovation Lab  ·Zachary Tumin, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University; former NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives  ·Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director, Asian American Federation  Additional members of the panel may be added at a later date.

 

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ICYMI: Governor Hochul Announces Q70 Bus to LaGuardia Airport Will Be Free for all Riders Beginning May 1

 Expansion Would Extend Fare-Free Q70 Service to be Year-Round

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that she is directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to extend the Q70 LaGuardia link bus service fee waiver from selected holiday weeks to the full year. The LaGuardia Link connects subway customers from the 74 Street-Broadway/Jackson Heights Roosevelt Avenue subway station with the airport in just 10 minutes. It also connects Long Island Rail Roadcustomers from Woodside Station, at 61st Street and Roosevelt Avenue, where Q70 bus service begins. 

 

"While we continue working to create a world-class transit option that's worthy of a whole new LaGuardia Airport, we're taking action right now to make it easier to get to the airport by making the Q70 bus service free for all riders starting May 1," Governor Hochul said. "This not only adds cash back into riders' wallets, it serves as an attractive, cost efficient, and greener option to travel to LaGuardia while we work on longer-term solutions."

 

Previously, the LaGuardia Link was offered as a free service on select weekends and holidays to assist in alleviating roadway congestion and incentivize travelers to use public transportation instead. The MTA will be working with the Port Authority to maximize the effectiveness of the year-round program.

 

The Q70 runs 24 hours a day and has special luggage racks for people traveling to and from the airport. It runs approximately every 10 minutes during daytime hours and provides a direct non-stop trip to LaGuardia Terminals B, C, and D from the 74 Street-Broadway/Jackson Heights Roosevelt Avenue subway station which serves the , , , , &  subway lines.  All LIRR branches provide service options to Woodside Station, where customers can transfer to the LaGuardia Link Q70.

 

 

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "The Governor's support for the MTA and our customers is truly appreciated. She recognizes the importance of public transit and what that means to New Yorkers. We saw that reflected in her appearance today at the Board meeting and announcement of a fare-free connection to LaGuardia via the Q70 bus."

 

Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Rick Cotton said, "The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey welcomes Governor Hochul's decision to make the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to LaGuardia Airport free on a full-time basis for the foreseeable future. Since 2016, the Port Authority has partnered with the MTA for free fare days on the Q70 during periods of peak travel. Meanwhile, the Port Authority is working expeditiously to complete the Governor's request for a thorough review of potential alternative mass transit options to LaGuardia Airport, which is focused on 14 alternatives that were presented to the public last month."

 

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68 Bus Operators Complete Training at Zerega Bus Depot

Class Is Part of a Push to Rebuild Front Line Workforce in Aftermath of Pandemic-Induced Hiring Freeze Bus Operators, Train Operators and Conductors Expected to Reach Pre-Pandemic Staffing Levels Second Quarter of 2022 View Photos from the Graduation Here The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the graduation of 68 bus operators following their successful completion of training at the Zerega Training Center in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. The latest class of bus operators exemplifies New York City Transit’s (NYCT) commitment to strengthen its workforce while also reinforcing frequency of bus service. This commencement marked the formal end of a rigorous six weeks of intensive training which began on March 13, 2022.  The graduation comes as New York City Transit Bus and MTA Bus Company combined ridership continues to improve up to pre-pandemic levels with bus ridership soaring above one million riders on multiple days during the month of April. Bus performance also continues to improve this year, with service delivery reaching above 96% for the month of March and average above 93%, so far, this calendar year. The new influx of bus operators is happening as MTA Bus continues to see wait assessment times and other key indicators showing improvements from the previous month.  In addition to the release of the newly developed Queens Bus Network Redesign’s New Draft Plan last month and a celebration of Earth Day with the showcasing of one of our all-electric articulated buses at the New York International Auto Show, the MTA is committed to enhancing bus networks in every borough while maintaining ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  “We are so proud of the newest class of New York City Transit bus operators and welcome the new drivers to our extraordinary team,” said New York City Transit Interim President Craig Cipriano. “This latest graduating class symbolizes our aggressive hiring and training efforts in making more buses available to customers, shortening wait times and providing more service each day.” “I am excited and proud to welcome our newest New York City Transit bus operators,”said MTA Bus Company Acting President and New York City Transit Department of Buses Senior Vice President Frank Annicaro. “Whether its providing critical service in times of crisis to the rollout of our zero-emission fleet there is no more of a better time to join this incredible workforce.” The new employees join 739 bus operators who recently completed their training, and the hundreds of NYCT workers who are expected to be onboarded in the months ahead, part of a deliberate effort by the MTA to rapidly grow the number of bus operators, subway train operators and conductors. A hiring freeze, necessitated by a fiscal crisis that developed during the pandemic, depleted the ranks of bus operators with many veteran workers retiring or leaving their frontline posts.  The new graduating class of bus operators will officially begin behind the wheel on April 29.  The MTA operates more than 5,800 buses that run across 329 routes, carries 16% of the nation’s bus riders, and represents the largest municipal fleet in the nation. In 2019, New York City buses carried more passengers than Los Angeles Metro, Chicago CTA, and San Francisco SFMTA combined.

 

 

 

 

 

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5 May, 2022

MTA Announces Reopening of Clark Street 2/3 Station Following Conclusion of Elevator Replacement Work

Station Reopened on Schedule Following the Installation of Three State-of-the-Art Elevators MTA Construction & Development Accelerated Replacement of All Three Elevators The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the Clark Street  subway station in Brooklyn Heights reopened for service on Wednesday, May 4, following the replacement of all three elevators serving the station with new, state-of-the-art elevators. The closure lasted from Wednesday, November 3 through Wednesday, May 4. By replacing all three elevators at the same time, the duration of the project was dramatically accelerated, avoiding two years of service unpredictability.  Because Clark Street is a deep cavern station accessible only by elevator, subway service bypassed the station for the duration of the project. The closure lasted 183 days, and work was completed on schedule.  These elevator replacements were the latest milestones in the MTA’s ongoing plan to bolster elevator reliability at subway stations throughout the transit system as part of the Authority’s historic 2020-2024 Capital Plan.  “I am thrilled that we were able to reopen the Clark Street station on schedule - and within budget - to deliver Brooklyn Heights customers modern and reliable elevators for years to come,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This project shows how the MTA is?making good on the commitment to deliver construction projects faster, better, and cheaper.”  “Enhanced elevator service at Clark Street is a big step forward in bringing a reliable transit system to our riders,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “We are excited to welcome our riders back to this station.”  “Replacing century-old elevators with new, state-of-the-art elevators under a dramatically compressed schedule to minimize impacts to riders and the surrounding community is a monumental achievement,” said MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “By replacing all three elevators at once, we were able to accelerate these enhancements for customers, delivering a critical modernization project and bringing reliable service back to Clark Street in the shortest possible time.”  The elevators had been in service for more than 100 years and reached the end of their useful lives. In 2000, the station was bypassed for five months to replace controllers and cabs and repair three motors, but this most recent work constituted the first full replacement of the Clark Street elevator systems in over a century.  NYC Transit originally presented the community with alternatives that would have led to repair work lasting 22 to 24 months and would have attempted to maintain train service during construction work. Under these scenarios, technicians would have worked on one elevator at a time, leaving two elevators in service. But because two elevators are needed to safely maintain train service to this deep cavern station that lacks stairway access, crews would have had to suddenly and unpredictably suspend train service whenever one of the two remaining elevators was taken out of service.

 

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Starting Saturday, May 28, 2022, Metro-North is restoring weekend and holiday service to/from Breakneck Ridge. There will be six northbound trains in the morning and five southbound trains in the evening stopping at the station. Thank you for your patience while we made safety enhancements. Happy (hiking) trails to you!

[daveklepper]

So now Yonkers and White Plains commuters ca "ditch" Metro North and rise free busses?

 

Westchester joins Rockland County in offering free buses. Rockland has allowed free rides after suspending fare at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Bee-Line's free rides are also valid on the Bee-Line ParaTransit system, as well as the BxM4C express bus into Manhattan. The BxM4C has stops in White Plains, Greenburgh and Yonkers before going down the Major Deegan Expressway into New York City. However, riders must pay to transfer onto New York City buses and trains. 

 

The Bee-Line serves over 27 million passengers annually as New York state’s second largest public bus fleet. There are over 3,300 bus stops and almost 60 routes. 

 

For more information about the free rides program, call 914-813-7777 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

This story was updated with more information.

 

Eduardo Cuevas covers diversity, equity and inclusion in Westchester and Rockland counties. He can be reached at [e-mail] and followed on Twitter @eduardomcuevas.

 

 

 

[daveklepper]

But a good friend commented:

 

I’d rather take Train #916 (0712 White Plains) which arrives in GCT at 0745 than the 0705 Bx4Mc which arrives at the NY Public Library stop (closest to GCT) at 0824

 

[BEAUSABRE]

For Pete's sake, how long is it going to take to "restore service"? The pandemic is over and has been for some time!

[daveklepper]

"For Pete's Sake" they are doing better than Amtrak or the airlines.  And should full service be restored as long as ridership is noticeably below normal?

But here is  part of the answer:

June 06, 2022   Graduation Day for New Group of Train Operators    Class Accelerates Front Line Workforce Regrowth Following Pandemic-Induced Hiring Freeze    New Train Operators Join Hundreds of Bus Operators, Train Operators and Conductors Who Completed Training in 2021 and 2022  View Photos from Today’s Graduation    The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that 10 new subway train operators graduated following their successful completion of training at the New York City Transit Learning Center in Brooklyn.      These operators will help New York City Transit tackle crew shortages and bolster the frequency of subway service. This marked the end of months of intensive training for operators that began in November 2021. The graduation took place as New York City Transit Subway ridership hovers between 50% and 60% of pre-pandemic levels.     “This class of train operators highlights the MTA’s focus on hiring and training improvements to achieve pre-pandemic staffing levels.” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “I am proud to welcome the newest group of New York City Transit train operators; together we will provide faster and more reliable service for our customers.”  “Riders coming back to the system deserve reliable service, and these operators will help address the staffing challenges we’ve experienced,” said New York City Transit Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “Since the early days of the pandemic, train operators have been part of the group that kept the city moving, and I am excited to see this new group help bring the city back.”  The new employees join the hundreds of bus and train operators and conductors who recently completed their training — part of a deliberate effort by the MTA to rapidly grow the number of bus operators, subway train operators and conductors. A hiring freeze, necessitated by a fiscal crisis that developed during the pandemic, depleted the ranks of train operators with many veteran workers retiring or leaving their frontline posts.

[daveklepper]

 

Weekend ridership is recovering quicker than weekday.  Elsewhere as well?

MTA Commuter Railroads Set Pandemic-Era Ridership Records on Tuesday, June 14   Metro-North and LIRR Combine to Carry Over 365,000 Customers on Tuesday  Records Follow Strong Weekend When LIRR Became First Agency to Surpass Pre-Pandemic Ridership and Metro-North Carried 99% of Pre-Pandemic Ridership on Saturday, June 11  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad set pandemic-era ridership records on Tuesday, June 14. The LIRR carried 191,197 riders, or 66% of pre-pandemic ridership, surpassing the previous pandemic-era record of 187,800 set on June 10. Metro-North carried 174,340 riders on Tuesday, 67% of pre-pandemic ridership, surpassing its previous record of 163,900 set on May 24.  The weekday record follows a strong weekend for both commuter railroads. On Saturday June 11, the day of the Belmont Stakes, the LIRR became the first MTA public transportation agency to surpass its baseline pre-pandemic levels. That day, the railroad carried approximately 117,900 riders, 105% of its pre-pandemic baseline. Metro-North enjoyed similar success, carrying approximately 95,100 riders, about 99% of its pre-pandemic baseline. Since the Breakneck Ridge station reopened on May 28, Metro-North has carried 90% of its pre-pandemic ridership on back-to-back weekends.  “We’re thrilled to see our weekday riders continue to return in record numbers. This shows that while leisure travel has been very strong throughout the pandemic, the market for office commutation is regaining strength as well,” said Metro-North President and LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. “With fare discounts, City Ticket expansion, and great weather, the LIRR and Metro-North anticipate setting more records in the near future.”  The MTA continues to encourage riders to return to the rails with fare discounts. On March 1, both LIRR and Metro-North rolled out fare offerings including a 10 percent discount for monthly passes, a new 20-trip ticket that saves 20% on regular peak one-way fares, and City Ticket, which offers a reduced, flat fare of $5.00 for rail travel within New York City on weekends, was extended to include all weekday off-peak trains.         .

 

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Metro-North Railroad to Expand Service Starting July 10

Hudson Line Will Have Two New P.M. Peak Trains New A.M. Reverse-Peak Express Train to Come to the Harlem Line New Haven Line Will Have Additional Service, Including Four New Trains Between Harrison and Grand Central MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi today announced that new train schedules that will take effect Sunday, July 10, will add additional trains systemwide. The schedules include four new New Haven Line local trains between Harrison and Grand Central, two new evening peak trains on the Hudson Line, a new morning reverse-peak express train on the Harlem Line, and enhancements that will speed other trains. “As more riders return to the system, more trains return as well,” Rinaldi said. “Metro-North is adding trains at key times which allows the railroad to make other trains faster. These changes make service more convenient and a more attractive option.” Details follow. New Haven Line:  ·  In the evening, the 5:12 p.m. and 6:19 p.m. trains making all local stops from Harrison to Grand Central have been restored to provide additional service options from Westchester County stations to the Bronx and Manhattan. ·  The 8:59 a.m. and 9:24 a.m. trans from Stamford that made all local stops to Grand Central will become limited-stop local trains, reducing their trip time by 7-8 minutes. Two local trains are added between Harrison and Grand Central, with a transfer at Harrison between the limited-stop trains and the local trains. ·  Additional service between New Haven and Grand Central, and on the Waterbury Branch. Hudson Line: Hudson Line customers will see two new peak trains in the evening, designed to fill an existing gap in limited-stop service in the Lower Hudson zone, as well as an additional stop at Yankees-E 153rd St station on a northbound rush-hour train. On weekends, six half-hourly trains between Grand Central and Poughkeepsie are suspended until late September to provide track-access time for crucial infrastructure work in the Bronx between Yankees-E 153rd St and Spuyten Duyvil; Grand Central-Poughkeepsie service will continue to operate hourly all day.  ·  The 7:28 p.m. and 8:32 p.m. trains from Grand Central that made all local stops to Croton-Harmon will become limited-stop local trains, reducing their trip time by 6-8 minutes. Two local trains are added between Grand Central and Greystone, with a transfer at Yonkers between the local stations and the limited-stop trains.  ·  The 5:20 p.m. train from Grand Central to Croton-Harmon adds a stop at Yankees-E 153rd St at 5:34 p.m. to provide improved service to riders leaving the borough-government and commercial area near the station. ·  Six weekend half-hourly trains between Grand Central and Poughkeepsie are suspended until the end of September to provide track-access time for crucial infrastructure work in the Bronx between Yankees-E 153rd St and Spuyten Duyvil stations. Metro-North continues to provide hourly service all day on weekends between Grand Central and Poughkeepsie.  Harlem Line: ·  A new morning reverse-peak express train operates from Grand Central to North White Plains, departing Grand Central at 7:08 a.m., stopping at Harlem/125th Street, White Plains and North White Plains. Numerous trains on all three lines have minor scheduling adjustments to accommodate Way Ahead – Moving Forward infrastructure projects and the additional train frequencies. Customers should check the TrainTime app or the MTA website for specific times at their stations.

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June 28, 2022

REMINDER: MTA to Begin Final Phase of Critical Track Replacement Work in Queens This Friday

Replacement and Installation of Almost 2.5 Miles of Track at End of  and  Subway Lines Begins Friday Night, July 1  24/7 Closure on the  and  Lines Between 121 St and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer  Normal  Line Service at Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer and Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today issued a reminder that crews will begin the final segment of a multi-phase project, replacing approximately 2.4 miles of track on the  and  lines between the 121 St and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer stations in Queens. The first part, completed in December 2020, involved the reconstruction of the  track between Jamaica-Van Wyck and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer and replaced 6,300 feet of track, 800 feet more than was originally planned in 10 weeks. The work on the  and  lines will replace 12,500 feet of track and third rail, about twice the length of track replaced for the E track reconstruction work, all within the same timeframe of 10 weeks. This work will begin Friday, July 1 at 9:45 p.m. and continue through September 2022.  The reminder follows additional customer and community outreach in recent weeks following the initial announcement on June 3. The start date and service changes have been communicated to customers, elected officials, and other community members.  The complete replacement of the 40-year-old-track, with a successfully proven updated design to increase durability, will lead to improved quality of service. It will require full access to the tracks and therefore a temporary suspension of all  and  train service at the Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer stations.  During this time, the MTA will provide free substitute shuttle bus service between the 121 St  station and the Jamaica-Van Wyck  station. MetroCards will be cross honored at Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stations between Atlantic Terminal, Jamaica, and eastern Queens. The Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer stations have multiple connecting bus lines and are served by the  line.  “Track replacement work in this area of Queens will bring us closer to our goal – delivering New Yorkers the modern subway system that they deserve,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We appreciate our customers’ patience as we make the upgrades necessary to improve the reliability and speed of  service.”  “Improving the customer experience is the north star,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “The fastest and most effective way to complete this project requires 24/7 access to the tracks. This short-term service change will provide more reliable service for years to come.”  “Track replacement work creates a temporary inconvenience for a lasting purpose: improved quality service,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “As the MTA undertakes the final phase of this initiative, let’s keep in mind the long-term benefits to transit users and share the transport alternatives during the replacement work with our families, friends, and neighbors.”  “With Southeast Queens being a transportation desert, I am pleased to see the progress being made by the MTA on this project to ensure our community has upgraded rail lines. This would enable the MTA to provide reliable and efficient service to our community,” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman.  “These upgrades ensure most of Southeast Queens's most vital subway lines are modernized for the next generation," said NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. "The Lower Archer Direct Fixation Track project will reconstruct portions of our city's aging infrastructure to replace 12,500 feet of the , , and  subway tracks to reinforce their durability. The culmination of these projects offers Southeast Queens residents reliable, accessible and safe access to New York City's larger transit network.”  This replacement of direct fixation track requires a full temporary suspension of service to accommodate the work. Unlike conventional tracks, which are most common in the subway and easier to replace in shorter time periods during low ridership, direct fixation track requires the concrete roadbed to be entirely reconstructed. This project will replace 12,500 feet of direct fixation track, with the exception of 3,000 feet, which would be replaced in kind. Once this final phase of track replacement is complete, the total amount of track replaced in this area of Queens will be 18,800 feet, about 3.6 miles.  Detailed Service Information  Beginning Friday, July 1, the following service changes will be in effect:   trains will run between 121 St in Queens and Broad St in Manhattan only  No  service from Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer   skip-stop service suspended   trains will be signed as  trains and make all stops between 121 St and Myrtle Av  On weekdays,  trains will run express in peak direction between Myrtle Av and Marcy Av, towards Manhattan in the morning and towards Queens in the afternoon.  For ADA accessible options, passengers at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer can take the  train to reach accessible stations in Manhattan. To reach accessible  and  stations at Flushing Av and Marcy Av, connect to  or  trains via the  and  lines at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall/Chambers St, via the  and  lines at Fulton St, or via the  line at Queens Plaza.  Additionally, customers needing accessible options can take the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica Station to Atlantic Terminal, with connections to the  subway lines, to reach accessible stations in Manhattan, or the Q54 to Middle Village-Metropolitan Av () or Marcy Av ().      Customers may wish to consider the alternative service options:  Free shuttle buses will run between the 121 St  station and the Jamaica-Van Wyck  station   subway service will continue to be available at Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer and Sutphin Blvd/Archer Av-JFK Airport  Alternative connections to the AirTrain to John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport:  Take the  line to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av–JFK Airport  Take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Jamaica Station  Take the  train to Howard Beach – JFK Airport  LIRR will cross-honor MetroCards between Atlantic Terminal and eastern Queens at the following LIRR stations:  Atlantic Terminal (ADA accessible)  Nostrand Av (ADA accessible)  East New York  Jamaica Station, with connection to the JFK AirTrain (ADA accessible)  Hollis  Queens Village (ADA accessible)  St. Albans  Locust Manor  Laurelton  Rosedale (ADA accessible)  Please be advised MetroCards will not be cross honored for travel at Penn Station, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills or Woodside LIRR stations.  Information on service changes and other trip planning resources are available on the project’s webpage at Reconstructing the Archer Av J/Z track (mta.info), which is updated as necessary. In addition to digital signage in stations and announcements on trains ahead of the scheduled work, customer service notifications are posted on the MTA website, under Planned Service Changes. Customers can also sign up for text and email alerts at www.myMTAalerts.com.

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August 17, 2022

MTA Launches New One-Stop Rail App Combining LIRR and Metro-North Trip Planning and Ticket Purchasing

TrainTime App Combines Most-Used Transit Agency Apps in Country Developed Completely In-House, the New TrainTime Features Seat Availability Tracker, Real-Time Train Movement and In-App Customer Support New App Will Ease Transfers Between Metro-North and LIRR When Grand Central Madison Opens This Year View High Resolution App Screenshots and Photos from Today’s News Conference   View Video from Today’s News Conference The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today launched a totally revamped app – named TrainTime – the new one-stop app for commuter rail customers in the region. The app replaces MTA eTix and adds the functionality of previously separate TrainTime apps for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, merging ticket purchasing, trip planning, real-time train location data. Access your tickets purchased in eTix using your existing account information — or create a new account using your Apple ID, Google account, or a text message. Making the app easier and more inviting to use, TrainTime users can log in using their Apple ID, Google account, or a text message, and purchase tickets using Apple Pay. Thesenew features complement features that are already popular with MTA app users, including a seat availability tracking and in-app chat with customer service. Nearly 50,000 people had downloaded the new app within the first 15 hours of its launch. “For years the top request from customers has been to include a mobile ticketing option within TrainTime. We have delivered on that ask, while also providing great features,”said Metro-North President and LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. “Everything from seat availability tracking, reliable train-tracking and in-app support are all at a riders’ fingertips. I cannot thank our in-house development team enough for delivering on a project that riders from New Haven to Montauk can equally benefit from.” “If we want more customers to return to the rails, the customer experience needs to be as frictionless as possible,” said Acting MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “The new TrainTime accomplishes just that, placing every travel tool a rider needs into one app, regardless of which railroad they are riding. And the debut could not be timelier with LIRR and Metro-North also sharing Grand Central as a terminal in the very near future.” “TrainTime has a few MTA firsts along with becoming the largest transit agency app in the country: the long-awaited inclusion of ticket purchases, seamless login options and a real-time train movement map,” said MTA Head of Special Projects Will Fisher. “There are no passwords to remember, no card info to enter, and if a rider needs assistance, they can get help within the app. The consolidation also gives us flexibility for cross-rail trips once Grand Central Madison opens.” Starting today, railroad customers can enjoy the following features: Mobile Tickets on TrainTime TrainTime is the first MTA app where ticket purchasing and trip planning live on the same app. Previously customers would have to use two apps to plan their trip—TrainTime to trip plan, and MTA eTix to purchase tickets. Now, a customer can search for their train and purchase their ticket in seconds. When looking up their train, a “Buy” ticket button will appear on the screen. From there, a customer can log in using Apple, Google or their phone number and purchase their ticket. Once a ticket is purchased, customers will see the button show "Activate" as their departure time approaches, or “Wallet” if their trip is in the future. Previous eTix users should use their existing account information to access tickets they have already purchased. Real-Time Train Movement and Seat Availability Tracking A core feature of the revamped app is the real-time train tracking map. In preparation for the app’s rollout, GPS sensors were installed on the entire LIRR and Metro-North fleet. When looking up a train a customer can get the exact position of their train in real-time. Once a customer gets on the train, they can continue to track their movement. The real-time train tracking is complemented by the popular seat availability tracker that the LIRR initially debuted in 2020. A customer can check the exact position of their train while on the train, while also knowing their exact car number and monitor that car’s capacity. In-App Customer Service In addition to the many social channels, customers can already go to for assistance, TrainTime meets riders where they are, providing in-app chat with customer service representatives for both railroads for the first time. Users can "Chat with us" on the "Status" tab. Cross-Rail Trip Planning The debut of TrainTime allows for a future feature of cross-rail trips when Grand Central Madison opens later this year. A customer that will travel from Long Island to Metro-North region, and vice versa, will be able to plan their full trip and purchase their ticket without having to use multiple apps.

 

[daveklepper]

PPP agreement to fund universal wireless connectivity on New York Subway

USA: Wi-fi and mobile phone connectivity is to be rolled out across the entire New York Subway network over the next 10 years, following the signing of a public-private partnership agreement offering benefits valued at more than $1bn.

 

[daveklepper]

From Metro North:

n	2:54 AM (6 hours ago)
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Buses replace trains on the Wassaic Branch from September 12 through November 20, 2022 while we perform trackwork.

Regular service will operate between Grand Central Terminal and Southeast.  
The detailed bus schedule is being finalized and will be available soon. 
We appreciate your patience while we complete these crucial upgrades.

But Southeast - Wassaic  is  not a branch.  It's the northern part of the New York & Harlem that did go all the way to Chatham and connection with the Boston & Albany - and at one time the Rutland.

 

[daveklepper]

NYC Transit Service Changes for Labor Day Weekend 2022

Planned Subway Service Changes Across Multiple Lines Three-Day Holiday Weekend Will Allow Critical Track Maintenance and Repairs to be Completed View Map of Labor Day Weekend Service Changes Here View Video: Why Does Construction Happen on 3-Day Weekends Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit today announced subway service details for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend while crews use the weekend to perform critical track maintenance and repairs. The planned service changes will begin Friday, Sept. 2. Some of the service changes are expected to last through Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, while other service changes will happen only on Saturday and Sunday. During the Labor Day Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, the subway will run on a regular weekend schedule. On Labor Day, the subway will run on a Sunday schedule. That means there will be no service on the  and   trains; no express  or  trains; and no express trains in Brooklyn. For more details on how service will be affected across all modes of transit,  customers are encouraged to visit the MTA's Planned Work tool to search for changes by subway, bus, or rail line. The MTA will soon help customers plan their weekends better with a weekly newsletter to be sent every Friday and covering planned weekend service changes on the subways, Long Island  Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. Customers can sign up for the newsletter  online. New York City Transit uses three-day weekends to work on infrastructure projects and upgrades such as accessibility, track maintenance, cable repair, switch replacement and so much more at stations. Maintaining a state of good repair on tracks, signals, replacing worn-out parts and upgrading the system’s infrastructure are critical in making sure trains run reliably. These service changes are subject to change, so customers are encouraged to check the MTA homepage before heading out; it's where customers will find up-to-the-minute information on subway, bus, and rail service.  Subway Service Changes  Train: Manhattan and Brooklyn  train service will be suspended from Harlem-148 St in Manhattan to New Lots Av station in Brooklyn to make accessibility improvements. The service suspensions will begin on Friday, Sept. 2 at 11:30 p.m. and will last until Monday, Sept. 5 at 5:00 a.m.   trains make  train stops between Franklin Av-Medgar Evers College and 135 St  trains will run via the  train tracks to/from Harlem-148 St, skipping  145 St in both directions For service to 145 St, take the M7 or M102 during the day/evening hours, and free shuttle bus service will be provided Customers can also transfer between  trains and buses at 135 St In Brooklyn,  trains will make  train stops between Atlantic Av- Barclays Ctr and New Lots Av Customers can also transfer between  and  at Atlantic Av- Barclays Ctr or Franklin Av-Medgar Evers College Learn more about changes to  service in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Train: Bronx  train service will be suspended between 3 Av-149 St in the Bronx and  135 St in Manhattan. The service suspensions begin on Friday, Sept. 2 at 11:45 p.m. and will last until Monday, Sept. 5 at 5:00 a.m. These service changes are necessary to conduct ongoing ADA accessibility work at the  149 St-Grand Concourse station.  Shuttle buses will be provided between 3 Av-149 St and 149 St-Grand Concourse Shuttle buses will be provided as well between 149 St-Grand Concourse  and 135 St Learn more about changes to  service in the Bronx and Manhattan   Train: Bronx  train service in the Bronx will be suspended between E 180 St and 149 St-Grand Concourse.  The service suspensions begin on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 5:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 4 from 7:45 a.m to 11:15 p.m.  These service changes are necessary to conduct ongoing ADA accessibility upgrades at the 149 St-Grand Concourse station.  trains will be running split service from Bowling Green in Manhattan \ to 149 St-Grand Concourse in the Bronx and between E 180 St and Eastchester-Dyre Av in the Bronx For service between E 180 St and 3 Av-149 St, take the  instead For service between 3 Av-149 St and 149 St-Grand Concourse, free shuttle buses will be provided for customers Learn more about changes to  service in the Bronx   West Indian Day Parade Service   service to and from Brooklyn will run normal on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5  Note: There will be some station entrance closures along  Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn during the West Indian Day Parade   Train: Manhattan and Brooklyn Brooklyn-bound  service will run local in Manhattan from 125 St to  W 4 St-Washington Sq.  The service change begins on Friday, Sept. 2 at 10:00 p.m. and will last until 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6.  These service changes are part of necessary track repairs and maintenance between  Fulton St and High St within the  line tunnel.    Additional  service changes: Brooklyn-bound  will run via the  line from W 4 St- Washington Sq in Manhattan to Jay St-Metro Tech in Brooklyn  starting on Friday, Sept. 2 at 9:45 p.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:00 a.m. Learn more about changes to  service in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Train: Manhattan Brooklyn-bound  service will run local in Manhattan from 145 St to  59 St-Columbus Circle. The service changes will begin on Friday, Sept. 2 at 10:00 p.m. and will last until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6 for switch maintenance.  Train: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens  service will run via the  line between Roosevelt Av in Queens and  W 4 St-Washington Sq in Manhattan.  The service changes begin on Friday Sept. 2 at 9:45 p.m. and will last until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6.  trains will provide normal service in Manhattan from  4 St-Washington Sq to World Trade Center.  In addition, Coney Island-bound  service runs express from 18 Av to  Kings Hwy to modernize signals along the Culver Line. The express service will begin on Friday, Sept. 2 at 9:45 p.m. and will last until Sunday, Sept. 4 at 6:00 p.m. The service changes are due to critical repairs, track maintenance, signal removals, and Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) upgrades.  Additional service changes:  service from Ditmas Av to Jamaica-179 St will be local both Queens-bound and Brooklyn-bound Jamaica-bound  service runs local from Roosevelt Av to  Forest Hills-71 Av. The service changes will begin on Friday, \Sept. 2 at 9:45 p.m. and will last until Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:00 a.m.  These service changes are for Maintenance of Way switch replacements just north ofForest Hills-71 Av stations between the two express tracks  Learn more about  service changes in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens  Train: Brooklyn and Queens  service will be suspended between Crescent St and Jamaica Center- Parsons/Archer. The service changes begin Saturday, Sept. 3 at 3:45 a.m. and will last until 10:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5 due to ongoing electrical repairs, track panel replacement, and fiberoptic cable tray installation. Free shuttle buses will be provided for customers for those stations between Jamaica-Van Wyck and Crescent St  Customers can also use the  for alternative service Customers can transfer between  trains and shuttle buses at  Crescent St For Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica Center- Parsons/Archer, take the  Learn more about  service changes in Brooklyn and Queens  Train: Manhattan and Brooklyn Bay Ridge-bound  trains will run express in Brooklyn from Atlantic Av- Barclays Ctr to 59 St. The service changes begin Friday, Sept. 2 at 10:45 p.m. and will last until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The service changes are part of ongoing asbestos abatement and cable work on both the local and express tracks between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and 36 St.    Manhattan-bound  service will be local from Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr  to Forest Hills-71 Av  For service to local stations in Brooklyn between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr  and 59 St in the Bay Ridge-bound direction, take the  to 36 St or 59 St and transfer to a local Manhattan-bound  or  Learn more about  service changes in Manhattan and Brooklyn W 4 St – Washington Sq  Station Changes During the Labor Day holiday weekend, there will be several track changes to accommodate necessary maintenance and repair work on the   trains. The following platform changes will begin on Friday, Sept. 2 at 9:45 p.m. and will end on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:00 a.m.  At W 4 St-Washington Sq  trains will all be on the lower-level \ tracks.  trains will run via their normal route in Manhattan between W 4 St and World Trade Center Brooklyn-bound  trains will be on the upper-level tracks and are running local on 8th Ave. in Manhattan from 59 St-Columbus Circle  to W 4 St-Washington Sq Brooklyn-bound  trains are running via the  line from W 4 St in Manhattan to Jay St-MetroTech in Brooklyn Signage will be placed throughout the station to notify customers of these service and location changes at the station Access-A-Ride (AAR) Paratransit  AAR customers may make reservations 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to \5:00 p.m. by calling AAR at [phone] or [phone] and pressing prompt #2, online at  https://new.mta.info/accessibility/paratransit, or via the MYmta app. The AAR Command Center operates 24/7 to assist customers on the day of trip, such as confirming a reservation or ascertaining a vehicle’s estimated \time of arrival. Customers should call [phone] or [phone] and press prompt #5. Service Information Available MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place.   new.mta.info – The “Service Status” box at new.mta.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each line. For a map of all the upcoming service changes this weekend, clickhere.   Live Subway Map – The Live Subway Map shows the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, highlights accessible stations, and much more.   Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive alerts, tailored by specific branch and time of day, by visiting mymtaalerts.com.   Twitter – Twitter users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, and @NYCTBus for service updates and customer service support.   WhatsApp – Customers can chat with New York City Transit via WhatsApp. Riders can receive customer service support in their native language through the help of Google Translate.   For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available \ by dialing 511. Connecticut customers should call 877-690-5114. Those who \ are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.

 

 

[daveklepper]

Server won't let me edit the above post this molrning.  No idea why.  Can do later today.

[daveklepper]

Editing done. Post readable.

[daveklepper]

https://mail.google.com/mail/u

Masks No Longer Required on Subways, Buses and Commuter Railroads Masks Now Optional Across Transportation Network  View New Mask Messaging  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the mask requirement on public transit is being lifted. Following guidance from New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, effective immediately masks are optional on all forms of public transportation, including subways, buses, commuter railroad, paratransit services, and in stations. Free masks will continue to be available at subway station booths upon request as well as on commuter railroad trains.    To eliminate confusion for riders, the Authority is rolling out a new campaign throughout stations and on subways, buses, and commuter railroad trains. Digital signage will encourage riders who prefer wearing a mask to continue to do so, while also ensuring awareness that it is now optional for all.    “Since the beginning of the pandemic the MTA has been guided by the health experts,” said MTA  Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “With revised guidance from the New York State Department of Health, which was the basis for the mask requirement on public transit, now is the right time for New Yorkers to make personal choices about what works best for them.”    “Mask usage remains a great defense against COVID-19 and will still be encouraged while riding,”  said MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren. “Customers who choose to continue wearing a mask are free to do so, but now it is not required. Since the onset of the pandemic the MTA has distributed over 56 million free masks to employees and customers and will continue to monitor CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance.”    “Customers should continue to do what they are most comfortable with while riding public transit whether that means wearing a mask or not,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “To inform customers of this change, we are rolling out a variety of updated signage, audio announcements, and social media posts encouraging customers to do what they prefer. Free masks will continue to be readily available throughout the system for those who need and still want to wear one.”    Since the onset of the pandemic, the MTA has provided masks to employees and customers by distributing 56 million free masks. The Authority launched “Safe Travels and Operation Respect” and the MTA Mask Force in June 2020, when volunteers and MTA leaders went to stations and onboard subways, buses, and commuter railroads, distributing masks and educating riders on mask usage.       ReplyForward

 

 

[daveklepper]

Metro-North Carried 180,200 Riders on Tuesday, September 13, Topping Previous Record Set Wednesday, September 7  New York City Subway and Long Island Rail Road Yesterday Reached Second Highest Ridership Since Pandemic Began  See Day-by-Day Ridership Data for MTA Agencies Here  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Metro-North Railroad carried record pandemic-era ridership yesterday with 180,200 riders, or 68.6 percent of the pre-pandemic average, topping Metro-North's previous record, set on Wednesday, September 7, of 179,600. Metro-North ridership on the four weekdays after Labor Day was the highest four-day streak since COVID began, with an average weekday ridership of 171,000 or 65.1 percent of pre-pandemic average.  "Our record-breaking ridership numbers are the latest indicator that New York's post-pandemic comeback is gaining momentum in New York City and the Hudson Valley," Governor Hochul said. "Having more New Yorkers use our public transit is not only good for the economy, but also great for the environment, and this latest milestone is an encouraging sign for what's to come."  Metro-North President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said, "We are seeing a healthy return of riders across all railroad travel markets, an indication that more and more riders are finding that the commuter railroads are a fast and easy way to travel in our region - even more so with the launch of our new Train Time app that puts ticketing, hyper-granular real time train information and live interactive customer service in one place."  Additionally, Ridership numbers on New York City Transit and the Long Island Rail Road were also high. Subway ridership reached 3.61 million on Sept. 13, the second highest number since the pandemic began in New York in March 2020. Buses carried approximately 1.42 million riders on the same day. LIRR carried 200,200 riders or 69 percent of pre-pandemic ridership, its second-highest ridership of the pandemic and second only to the record set on Wednesday, Sept. 7, of 204,000.  The MTA continues to encourage ridership with fare discounts rolled out earlier this year. Both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North rolled out fare offerings including a 10 percent discount for monthly passes, and a new 20-trip ticket tailored for the hybrid work schedule. The new 20-trip ticket saves riders 20 percent on regular peak one-way fares. For commuter rail riders traveling within the five boroughs the MTA also expanded City Ticket, which offers a reduced, flat fare of $5.00 for rail travel within New York City on weekends, to include all weekday off-peak trains.

 

[daveklepper]

September 20, 2022   ICYMI: Governor Hochul Announces MTA to Install Security Cameras in Every New York City Subway Car   New Funding Supplements Existing Cameras in Train Cars and Stations     Additional Installation of Cameras Results in Entire Subway Fleet Outfitted with Two Cameras in Each Train Car    Latest Measure by Governor Hochul to Deter Crime and Enhance Subway Safety  View Photos from Today’s News Conference  View Subway Camera Video  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit has received a $2 million award, through the Urban Area Security Initiative federal grant program, which will provide funding for the installation of cameras across the entire fleet of subway cars, enhancing security coverage, and, most importantly, increasing passenger confidence in mass transit safety. The Urban Area Security Initiative is a program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Grants. The funding will enable the purchase of 5,400 cameras to be installed on 2,700 New York City Transit subway cars, two per car. Additionally, the program will fund approximately 3,800 cameras expanding coverage in approximately 130 subway stations.  "My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud that we will be installing cameras on all Subway cars - expanding our security capabilities, deterring crime, and providing our law enforcement with support. As we continue welcoming riders back to the transit system, we will continue doing everything in our power to keep riders safe."  The funding will further strengthen NYC Transit's existing security network of more than 10,000 cameras across all 472 subway stations. The new funding covers the cost of camera installation on 6,355 cars, allowing the MTA to fully outfit every subway car with cameras -- supplementing an existing camera pilot program that includes 200 cameras in 100 subway cars. Additionally, funding from the Subway Action Plan totaling $3.5 million will enable the purchase of 7,310 cameras on 3,655 cars, two per car. The total funding to complete the installations equals $5.5 million. When installation begins an additional 200 train cars per month will have cameras installed until the entire subway car fleet is camera-equipped, which is anticipated to occur sometime in 2025. In addition, when new R211 subway cars are delivered starting in early 2023 they will already be camera-equipped.  This is the latest measure Governor Hochul has taken to deter crime and enhance the safety of New York City Subways. In June, Governor Hochul signed legislation to protect roughly 11,000 more transit workers against assault and harassment. The legislation extended criminal charges to individuals who assault station customer assistants, ticket or revenue collectors, maintenance workers, repairers, cleaners, and their supervisors, who were not protected under previous laws.  MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "As I've said many times before, those who commit crimes in the transit system will be identified and brought to justice. Riders should know we've got their back for their entire journey and this significant upgrade - made possible by new dollars from Governor Hochul - is a great step towards reinforcing New Yorkers' confidence in mass transit safety."  New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "Public safety is my top priority and this new security initiative will further work to ensure that all New Yorkers can get to where they need to go safely. Public transportation is the backbone of New York City, and when commuters feel protected the entire system stands upright. I look forward to the inevitable and positive changes this new program will bring, as well as continuing to work with Governor Hochul to keep our subways safe for all riders."  NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, "The NYPD will never cede an inch in its ongoing work to ensure the safety and security of the millions of riders who, each day, depend on us throughout the nation's largest subway system. This is our most basic promise as we remain dedicated to preventing crime, terrorism, and disorder. The NYPD already uses existing MTA cameras, with great success, to solve crimes. Now, with ridership increasing and overall serious crime in the transit system back below pre-pandemic levels - a consequence of the NYPD's increased, concentrated deployment in stations and on trains - the installation of additional MTA cameras covering the entire fleet of subway cars will further our investigatory capabilities and enhance our ability to provide effective, efficient public safety both below and above ground."  New York City Transit President Richard Davey said, "It's been proven time and time again that cameras in the transit system help fight crime throughout the whole city, not just on the subway. Expanding the camera network will serve to deter those who are intent on committing a crime from entering the transit system."  MTA Chief Safety & Security Officer Patrick Warren said, "Cameras are an extremely effective tool in solving investigations and in deterring crime. Public and employee security and safety are priorities at the MTA and we consistently work towards implementing and improving measures that support these priorities. This grant is an important step forward supporting our safety and security efforts."  All Metro-North trains are equipped with cameras, and more than 90 percent of Long Island Rail Road trains are equipped with security cameras. Last year, camera installation across every subway station was accelerated and completed ahead of schedule. Two thousand cameras were installed in 2021 alone.  The MTA is committed to providing safe and reliable public transit and the Urban Area Security Initiative Award marks the latest step forward in the Authority's mission to be a fully monitored transit system by better deterring crime and increasing passenger security.             ReplyForward

 

[daveklepper]

October 25, 2022

The Holiday Fair Returns to Grand Central After Two Years

New York’s Historic Landmark and Transportation Hub Welcomes Back its Celebrated Holiday Fair With Dozens of Unique Vendors Holiday Fair Returns from Monday, Nov. 14 to Saturday, Dec. 24 Presented by SL Green Realty Corp and AmericanGreetings.com The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the return of New York City’s longest-running indoor holiday fair to Grand Central after a two-year pause. The Holiday Fair this year – presented by SL Green Realty Corp and AmericanGreetings.com – will run for six weeks in the Vanderbilt Hall, beginning Monday, Nov. 14. This year’s fair will feature dozens of unique local vendors and small businesses with a focus on quality craftmanship and products made in New York and the United States. Vendors will sell a diverse mix of giftable items, including men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, original artwork, jewelry, holiday keepsakes and distinctive home décor, self-care products, and endless varieties of handcrafted goods.  The return of the fair reinforces the city’s progress in retail recovery and upswing overall. It coincides with Metro-North’s continuing ridership growth and a returning abundance of foot traffic through Grand Central Terminal. Grand Central continues to usher in locals, commuters, and visitors in growing numbers each month, and expects an increase of visitors with the return of the fair.  “Just a few months ago we announced new tenants coming to Grand Central, including the well-known City Winery, and today we are happy to announce the return of the Grand Central Holiday Fair,” said President of Metro-North Railroad and Interim President of the Long Island Rail Road Catherine Rinaldi. “We are thrilled to bring back this enjoyable New York holiday tradition, which showcases the skilled craftsmanship of local vendors and is a sign of New York’s continuing retail recovery.” The Holiday Fair runs Monday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Dec. 24, and will operate Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Holiday Fair will be closed for Thanksgiving.  For more information and to stay up to date with the Grand Central Holiday Fair and vendors, please visit https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/holiday-fair/ and follow Grand Central Terminal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  About Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal is one of America’s greatest transportation hubs and one of New York City’s most iconic buildings. Grand Central Terminal is the terminus of Metro-North Railroad, and home to a number of boutique restaurants, cocktail lounges, a gourmet market, and many specialty shops. By the end of the year, Grand Central’s historic footprint will be expanded with the opening of Grand Central Madison, a 700,000-square-foot terminal and concourse designed to service the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). LIRR access into Manhattan’s east side is the most transformative expansion of LIRR service in over a century. For more on Grand Central Madison, visit https://new.mta.info/grandcentralmadison. For the latest Grand Central news, reopenings, and operating updates visit https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/hf.

 

 

October 24, 2022

MTA Votes to Order Hundreds More Cutting Edge R211 Subway Cars

Cars Feature Wider Doors, Security Cameras, LED Lighting and Digital Displays  New Cars to Be Delivered Starting in Early 2025 View Photos of R211 Subway Cars The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board’s New York City Transit Committee today approved an order for 640 more R211 subway cars, authorizing the full MTA Board to consider the order on Wednesday.  Qualification testing on the R211s already delivered is underway with passenger service expected by the spring.  The option, an addition to the base order of 535 cars awarded in 2018, would bring the total number of R211 cars ordered to 1,175, including 75 Staten Island rail cars and 20 cars that feature open gangways.  These R211 cars, initially planned for the A and C lines and the Staten Island Railway, are a critical part of the MTA's ongoing modernization efforts. They feature 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on existing cars. The wider doorways are designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations.  The cars also include security cameras, digital displays that will provide information about service and stations, and brighter lighting and signage, slicker bonnet design, among other features.  "We are thrilled to see customers coming back to the system with increased frequency and our main objective is to provide safe, fast reliable service,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “These modern trains feature wider doorways that will help speed up boarding time, run more reliably and give our riders a more modern passenger experience.”  "Our commitment to provide the best and most reliable service to our customers is unwavering and this investment is proof of that,” said New York City Transit Senior Vice President for Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “The MTA will deliver on its promise to provide the most efficient, most comfortable, and most modern service in the quickest timeline possible.”

 

 

[daveklepper]

Sun, Dec 11 at 6:01 PM

 

 

MTA, TWU Local 100 Announce Future Role of Station Agents to Enhance the Customer Experience

Next-Generation of Station Agent Role Will No Longer Be Limited to Assistance from Booths  Agents Will Now Meet Riders Throughout Stations and Support the Rollout of OMNY  New Station Agent Role Will Be Phased in Throughout the System Starting in Early 2023  View Video from Today’s News Conference  View Photos from Today’s News Conference  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 today announced a landmark agreement on the future of the station agent role in the subway system which will enable station agents to support customer service needs more effectively in subway stations. In recognition of the changing environment at subway stations, station agents will shift from working exclusively in booths to performing core customer service functions throughout the station, including at turnstiles, MetroCard machines and on platforms.   The role of the “booth-oriented” station agent dates to the era of tokens, and today’s agreement represents a modernization of the role, bringing agents out of booths to better serve the needs of customers in a 21st Century station environment.   “Providing the best possible experience for customers is our North Star at New York City Transit,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey. “To customers, station agents often represent the face of the transit system, dating back to the era of token booths. By enhancing the station agent role, the era of customer support being offered only through a glass wall has gone the way of the token itself, and agents will be able to connect directly with the riders they’re serving.”  The new station agent role follows a commitment by NYC Transit President Davey in November to achieve at least 70% customer satisfaction on subways and buses by June 2024. NYC Transit instituted monthly “pulse” surveys in May 2022 to better gauge customer satisfaction, and in September 2022, customer satisfaction amongst subway riders was 59%, 10 points higher than four months earlier. In November, NYC Transit announced the expansion of its Station ReNEWvation Program to 12 additional stations following work on nine stations in the Bronx completed in 2022.  “Improving the customer experience is a top priority across the MTA,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “Improving the ability of station agents to be where customers are and enhance their experience throughout stations has been a long-standing goal of the MTA, and this unprecedented agreement responds to the changing needs of customers with the rollout of OMNY while maintaining these critical positions in the transit system.”  “Station Agents play a critical role in assisting customers with access needs,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer and Senior Advisor Quemuel Arroyo. “As we seek to further enhance service delivery, the new Station Agent role will transform how we engage with our customers and reimagine the customer experience.”  “Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. This is about protecting the employment of station agents, so they can continue to take care of their families,” said TWU Local 100 Vice President Robert Kelley.“We can’t sit back and watch our members get phased out along with the MetroCard. We are forging a new path with a new role that makes their presence in stations even more vital.”  The new station agent role will provide customer support out-of-booth through:  Wayfinding throughout the transit system  Assistance for customers with disabilities and seniors  Assistance at fare machines  Enhanced customer service during service disruptions and major planned changes  OMNY guidance and information, including conversion and use  Timely reporting of any issues related to customer amenities, including elevators, escalators, digital signage, Help Points, and turnstiles  Maintenance of a safe and clean customer environment  Reporting of quality-of-life issues  The MTA will begin to phase in the new station agent role starting in early 2023, with training currently underway on enhanced customer service and OMNY equipment. As the MTA continues the rollout of OMNY in the transit system and to better serve the needs of customers in stations, NYC Transit began filling vacant station agent positions in November 2021. Thus far, 288 station agents have been hired, and the Authority anticipates filling the remaining 235 station agent vacancies through the first half of 2023 to support its enhanced customer experience goals.

 

[daveklepper]

To read the previous posting, without any problem, jusdt use the Reply button.   Thanks

[daveklepper]

December 07, 2022

 

MTA Announces Opening of Staten Island Railway’s Hurricane-Resistant Clifton Maintenance Shop

 

New 93,220 Square-Foot Facility Houses Staten Island Railway Repair Shop and Offices; Built to Withstand Heavy Winds and Water Intrusion 

Previous Space Suffered Severe Water Damage During Hurricane Sandy 

See Photos from Today’s Event 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today unveiled its new, storm-resilient Clifton Car Maintenance Shop on Staten Island. The previous incarnation of the Staten Island Railway facility suffered extensive damage that led to months of disruption following Hurricane Sandy a decade ago, and has been rebuilt to sustain Category 2 hurricane water and wind pressures up to 110 miles per hour sustained winds, plus a three foot water surge.

The facility includes a new shop, administrative offices and support buildings. Inside the shop there are four tracks for car inspections and repairs, interior car cleaning and approved car modification programs, and an overhead lifting system for changing roof-mounted air conditioning units lifting car bodies for car trucks maintenance. 

“This state-of-the-art facility will be the home base of Staten Island Railway operations and is key to delivering more reliable and resilient transit for Staten Islanders,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We couldn’t have completed this project without our partners at the U.S. DOT's Federal Transit Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation.” 

“A new Clifton Shop means Staten Island Railway cars will be maintained and repaired onsite instead of in Brooklyn,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “I’m excited for riders to see more reliable and efficient service for years to come.” 

“The new Clifton Maintenance Shop is a state-of-the-art, resilient facility that will serve the Staten Island Railway for decades to come,” said MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “Redesigning the shop to prevent water intrusion and withstand a Category 2 hurricane storm represents the forward-thinking approach C&D is bringing to projects across the system.” 

“This shop is designed for the Staten Island Railway of the future,” said Senior Vice President of NYC Transit Department of Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “It will house the new train cars and work equipment that will lead to improved service and a more modernized system. I want to thank the team at SIR who made this possible.” 

“It's been 10 years since Hurricane Sandy struck the New York metropolitan area, significantly damaging the region's transit infrastructure, including this shop, the only maintenance facility for Staten Island Railway,” said Federal Transit Administration Regional Administrator Stephen Goodman. “The culmination of our work demonstrates how we are investing in transit infrastructure and advancing key priorities. This project will reap enormous benefits for the riders of Staten Island and help them get where they need to go.” 

“When Hurricane Sandy tried to knock out Staten Island and New York City, we fought back, and we have the resiliency to stand here today, and say, we're not going to let a storm knock us down again,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “We're very pleased that the MTA and their partners have chosen to invest in Staten Island. This project is essential to keep the system going strong and continue to be vibrant in the decades ahead." 

Funding for the $165 million design-build project was allocated from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA’s) Hurricane Sandy recovery program. Other components of the five-year project include: 

• Demolition, removal and disposal of structures and systems including underground diesel. 

• Reconfiguration of tracks and switches and realignment of indoor tracks, including traction power and underground utilities. 

• Environmental work including asbestos abatement, lead abatement and underground fuel storage tanks removal. 

• Installing communications systems including clock/timekeeping, fire alarm, public address, CCTV and security systems and sprinkler and standpipe systems. 

 

 

[BEAUSABRE]

"Full Service Restoration" ain't gonna happen. Ridership is stalled at 67 percent of pre-Covid levels and unless drastic cuts are made in spending, a 3 BILLION dollar hole will be blown in in 2024/25 annual budgets

[daveklepper]

MTA Construction & Development Spotlights Action Taken to Build Better, Faster, and Cheaper; Puts the Cost of Building in National and Global Context

Cost of Major Transit Projects Including the Second Avenue Subway Deliver More Value Per Rider Than Comparable Projects MTA Has Taken Action to Reduce Costs of Capital Projects; LIRR Third Track Project Coming in $100 Million Under Budget Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer today provided an update to the MTA Board on the Authority’s capital construction costs. The presentation focused on the MTA’s historic $55 billion 2020-2024 Capital Plan, which is comprised of 83% core infrastructure and 17% expansion projects. The cost of core infrastructure projects – which includes track replacement, ADA accessibility, and power substations – are in line with peer systems in the United States. And MTA expansion projects such as the Second Avenue Subway deliver more value per rider than many national and global peers. “Dating back to my time at the helm of MTA Construction & Development, I have been committed to on-time and cost-effective delivery of upgrades and expansions of the transit system,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Today’s presentation makes clear that investing in mass transit is a greater value proposition in New York than in peer cities, especially when considering the strong ridership demand we’ve seen with projects like the Second Avenue Subway.” “The creation of MTA Construction & Development was itself a cost containment measure, streamlining capital program functions into one world-class agency and creating the tools to manage projects effectively from start to finish,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “This year, we've seen the results of that effort, like the completion of LIRR Third Track on-time and under-budget. New York is an expensive place to build, but MTA C&D is aggressively attacking cost-drivers. We will continue to deliver both core infrastructure and expansion projects better, faster, and cheaper." Project Costs in U.S. and International Context Torres-Springer’s presentation highlighted the cost of transit expansion projects such as the Second Avenue Subway Phase 1 -- completed in 2016 -- providing national and international context on the external factors driving costs, as well as the strong per-rider value presented by these expansion projects. While the $2.95 billion cost per mile of the Second Avenue Subway Phase 1 exceeds that of national and global peers, when factoring in the expansion’s 200,000 daily ridership in the first phase, the $31,000 cost per average daily rider is significantly below projects in San Francisco, London, and Los Angeles. On accessibility upgrades, the MTA’s elevator costs on recent ADA upgrades are in line with peer system benchmarks. Factors Driving Project Costs Project costs are driven by the unique constraints of building large capital projects in New York. These include factors where MTA has limited control – such as high costs of property acquisition, logistics, and utilities, high regional labor and materials costs, operating constraints and regulations, and the necessary scope and design to meet the needs of a 24/7 system with high ridership demands. For Second Avenue Subway Phase 1, these factors alone accounted for 60% of the premium in cost per mile above peer system benchmarks.  Reducing Costs The MTA is actively working to reduce costs on all fronts. The implementation of design build, the reduction in red tape, and appointing dedicated and empowered project CEOs were all proposals from the MTA Board that have been adopted and will drive cost reduction and efficiencies in future capital projects. Cost reductions are also being achieved by reducing unnecessary project scope where possible; for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, this principle has resulted in a $1 billion reduction in savings. To control regional labor costs, MTA C&D has reached a historic agreement with union partners on the Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project. MTA Construction & Development shared success stories on reducing capital costs on major projects completed in recent years. Strategies to reduce costs have proven successful on recent large-scale projects, including the LIRR Third Track, the Penn Station LIRR Concourse modernization project, and the Canarsie Tube  Train repair project. In 2021, median awarded contracts came in 8% below MTA estimates. These successful projects represent a roadmap for the future of capital projects at the MTA, with on-time delivery and meaningful cost-containment.

 

 

 

 

Wow!  No editing needed.   Thanks Kalmbach or thanks NY-State MTA!

 

[daveklepper]

January 08, 2023

MTA Announces 18 Public Bathrooms Will Reopen on Monday, Jan. 9 Male and Female Bathrooms at Nine Stations Will Reopen at 7:00 a.m. Monday

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that 18 bathrooms at nine subway stations will reopen to the public on Monday, Jan. 9. The bathrooms, one male and one female at nine stations, will be open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a one-hour closure for cleaning from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bathrooms in the transit system had been previously closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   “The pandemic created many challenges to providing faster, cleaner, safer service in the transit system,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “But as ridership continues to rebound, we’re pleased to provide relief to customers by reopening some bathrooms across the transit system. When customers have got to go on the go, we’ve now got them covered at select stations.”   The MTA took advantage of the closures of bathrooms to perform needed maintenance to these facilities including: New motion activated faucets New fixtures (hand dryers, dispensers) New/painted privacy panels New lighting Tile grouting New door signs reflecting hours of operation Ceiling Painting Deep cleaning Bathrooms will reopen at the following stations on Monday:   161 St–Yankee Stadium  14 St–Union Sq  East 180 St  42 St–Bryant Park  Jay St–MetroTech  Kings Highway  Jackson Hts–Roosevelt Av  Forest Hills–71 Av  Fulton St

 

[daveklepper]

MTA Announces Station Agents to Begin Assisting Riders Outside of Booths This Week

Authority Also Unveils Three Additional Customer Service Centers in the New York City Subway  Nine Total Customer Service Centers Now Open in All Five Boroughs   View Photos of Announcement View Video of Announcement Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit today announced that customer service in the transit system will be further enhanced as subway station agents begin to support customers outside of station booths. For the first time in three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, station agents will begin assisting riders outside of station booths by helping customers wherever they are located answering questions and providing directional support; walking around mezzanines, turnstile areas, and platforms; helping customers at fare machines; monitoring safety and cleanliness on platforms and across station areas, and reporting issues as they arise in a timely manner.  In December, the MTA and TWU Local 100 announced the future role of station agents to enhance the customer experience, by performing duties outside of booths. In preparation for the enhanced role, station agents are receiving training on enhanced customer service and OMNY equipment. Starting this week, the enhanced station agent role will provide customer support outside of station booths through:  ·  Wayfinding throughout the transit system ·  Assistance for customers with disabilities and seniors ·  Assistance at fare machines ·  Enhanced customer service during service disruptions and major planned changes ·  OMNY guidance and information, including conversion and use ·  Timely reporting of any issues related to customer amenities, including elevators, escalators, digital signage, Help Points, and turnstiles ·  Maintenance of a safe and clean customer environment ·  Reporting of quality-of-life issues “Today is yet another day of progress as we improve the customer experience and deliver faster, cleaner, and safer service,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey. “Customer Service Centers are opening across the system, bringing service directly to riders at the stations they use. And in a double win, our station agents will begin their new, enhanced role out of the booth, directly assisting customers. As we continue to see customer satisfaction on subways climb, these two announcements are further momentum towards our North Star goal of 70% satisfaction.”  “The MTA is committed to enhancing the way customers receive support throughout the transit system,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “As we continue to smash OMNY records, with two million taps recorded in one day recently, the enhancements to customer service we are implementing by bringing station agents out of the booths and opening more customer service centers will help more riders make the switch to OMNY and start tapping.”  “Our new Customer Service Centers were developed in collaboration with TWU Local 100, and we are happy with how they are working out,” said TWU Local 100 Vice President for Stations Robert Kelley. “Today’s three new customer service centers are helping to make the transit system more friendly and convenient. They are staffed by the best customer service representatives in the world. We are showing the world what a world-class transit system looks like.” Additionally, the Authority announced the opening of three additional Customer Service Centers in the subway. The newly opened centers are located at Fulton St         in Manhattan, Myrtle-Wyckoff Avs   in Brooklyn, and 74 St–Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av      in Queens. All three centers are repurposed station booths and feature enhanced lighting, canopy, and wrapped signage to create a more inviting and welcoming customer environment.  The MTA opened its first Customer Service Centers on Feb. 7 at Stillwell Av-Coney Island, 161 St-Yankee Stadium, and Atlantic Av-Barclays Center. On Feb. 28, the program expanded to all five boroughs with centers opening at 34 St-Penn Station, Flushing-Main St, and St. George. Six additional Customer Service Centers will open in the subway system by the end of 2023 at the following stations: ·  E 180 St:   ·  125 St:    ·  Fordham Rd:  ·  Times Square-42 St:        ·  Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport:    ·  168 St:    Customer Service Centers feature services historically provided by the MTA exclusively at 3 Stone Street in Lower Manhattan in the neighborhoods where riders live. The centers comprise repurposed booths and new retail outlets and feature enhanced accessibility, OMNY technology, and a dedicated, more welcoming visual presentation for customers through new lighting, branded wrapping, and canopies.  Station agents working at Customer Service Centers assist customers with switching to OMNY, including helping Reduced-Fare MetroCard customers switch to OMNY and providing applications to first-time Reduced-Fare customers. Additionally, Customer Service Centers will provide customers with information about how to submit complaints and receive updates and information on travel delays. Customer Service Center agents also assist customers with wayfinding through the transit system.  Agents working at Customer Service Centers receive dedicated training on OMNY equipment and all dedicated customer service functions the centers provide. Customer Service Centers are staffed by station agents 24/7, apart from St George, which is open Monday to Friday from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm.  “I always welcome new ways to make the MTA more accessible,” said Assembly Member Grace Lee. “After their successful implementation in stations in Brooklyn and the Bronx, I am happy to see that a Customer Service Center will be made available to riders at the Fulton Street station, which as the sixth-most used station in the city, will be able to offer a high number of riders new services that will ease travel across the city.”  “Navigating our city’s mass transit system can sometimes be confusing, so riders need to have places to go where knowledgeable MTA employees can help them with directions and address their other customer service needs,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The Customer Service Centers being opened in our subway system are intended to be those places and should do a great deal to help make our transit system more user-friendly. I’m glad three of these centers will be open in Queens before the end of this year, and I encourage riders to take full advantage of the services these centers will be offering.”

[daveklepper]

April 19, 2023

Edited and compacted by Dave Klepper

Day-by-Day Ridership Data for MTA Agencies Is Available Online   The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced Metro-North Railroad reached record pandemic-era ridership yesterday, April 18, 194,549 riders, 74% of the pre-pandemic average. Between April 9 - April 15, the LIRR averaged 168,726 daily customers, the best seven-day average since March 2020.  Metro-North and the LIRR now offers a 10 percent discount for monthly passes, and a 20-trip ticket that saves 20 percent on regular peak one-way fares. The LIRR and MN City Ticket offers a reduced, flat fare of $5.00 for rail travel within New York City during off-peak hours and on weekdays and on weekends. The new Metro-North LIRR Combo Ticket between Metro-North and Long Island stations via Grand Central is only $8 more than the customer’s ticket to New York.   DLK editorial comment.  Monday, 17 April, the MTA and LIRR asnnounced thne millionth rider to use LIRR Grand Central Madison.  Lots of spereces, Govenor, etc.  Tool me too much self-congratulations considering the real unhasppiness of most commuters to Dowentown Brooklyn weith the new arrangements.