New Jersey Transit:
daveklepper Posted by daveklepper on Sunday, September 5, 2021 5:17 AM New Jersey Transit: Wassaic Branch customers Regular weekend service will resume on the Wassaic branch on Sunday, September 5, following the completion of significant repairs to infrastructure caused by heavy rainfall. On Labor Day, Monday, September 6, the Wassaic branch will operate on a weekend schedule. For schedule information, please visit . https://www.njtransit.com Please listen for announcements at your station and continue to monitor , and Facebook and Twitter for updates. Customers can also use our automated phone system at 511 (in Connecticut call 877-690-5114) or to speak with a representative dial 646-252-1701. View Online: Quick Reply Reply Edit
I don't understand your purpose in posting announcements of actions that have taken place in the past in a 'today' thread.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Hudson Line customers, Due to the need for significant reconstruction of a segment of the Hudson Line that was damaged during Tropical Storm Ida, the Hudson Line will continue to operate on a reduced weekday schedule for the week of Sept. 13-17. On Monday, Sept. 20, a new weekday schedule will go into effect that reflects the ongoing effort to rebuild the damaged section in Dobbs Ferry. Please check back here for updates. Hudson Line Weekdays: Peak --Hudson Line trains will operate every 20-30 minutes during peak hours at all stations. Off-Peak --Hourly service will operate between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal during off-peak hours at all stations. For schedule information, please see our updated print timetable at or visit . Hudson Line Weekends: Regular weekend service will be in effect on the weekends of Sept. 11-12 and 18-19, as published in the Aug. 29 schedule change, see While crews continue to make repairs, bridge plates have been installed for customers to board trains at Riverdale, Ludlow, Glenwood, Greystone, Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley-on-Hudson and Irvington stations. Please do not board bridge plates until the train has come to a complete stop. For connecting services information, including Hudson Rail Link and the Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon ferries, see Please listen for announcements at your station and continue to monitor , Facebook and Twitter for updates. Customers can also use our automated phone system at 511 (in Connecticut call 877-690-5114) or to speak with a representative dial 646-252-1701.
Posted by Dave Klepper, Thrsday, Setember 16
Hudson Line Service to Resume 82% of Pre-Pandemic Weekday Service, 100% of Pre-Pandemic Weekend Service
Crews Have Continued Clean Up Work Since Record Rainfall From Remnants of Hurricane Ida Damaged Infrastructure Along the Line
Two Tracks Remain Out of Service Between Greystone and Tarrytown While Restoration Work Continues; Minor Adjustments to Schedules
MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that service frequencies will increase on the Hudson Line beginning on Monday Sept. 20, with weekday service returning to 82% of pre-pandemic levels and weekend service to 100% of pre-pandemic levels. The Hudson Line sustained significant damage after record rainfall from remnants of Hurricane Ida hit the area beginning on Sept. 1, continuing into the early morning hours of Sept. 2.
Some train times will be adjusted to reflect earlier departures and slightly longer trip times due to reduced capacity on the Hudson Line because of landslides and culvert damage caused by the storm. Two tracks on an approximately six mile stretch between Greystone and Tarrytown stations remain out of service while crews continue restoration work. Customers should plan up to an extra five minutes of travel time while restoration work continues.
Crews Have Continued Clean Up Work Since Record Rainfall From
Remnants of Hurricane Ida Damaged Infrastructure Along the Line
Two Tracks Remain Out of Service Between Greystone and Tarrytown Whi
Restoration Work Continues; Minor Adjustments to Schedules
MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that service frequencies will increase on
the Hudson Line beginning on Monday Sept. 20, with weekday service returning to 82%
of pre-pandemic levels and weekend service to 100% of pre-pandemic levels.
Hudson Line sustained significant damage after record rainfall from remnants of Hurrican
Ida hit the area beginning on Sept. 1, continuing into the early morning hours of Sept. 2.
Some train times will be adjusted to reflect earlier departures and slightly longer trip
times due to reduced capacity on the Hudson Line because of landslides and culvert damage
caused by the storm. Two tracks on an approximately six mile stretch between Greystone and
Tarrytown stations remain out of service while crews continue restoration work. Customers
should plan up to an extra five minutes of travel time while restoration work continues.
“I cannot emphasize enough the Herculean effort put forth by our crews in the two weeks since
the storm ravaged our entire territory, especially the Hudson Line,” said Catherine Rinaldi,
President of Metro-North Railroad. “It is because of their efforts that that we are now able
to resume pre-Ida service levels beginning on Monday. I cannot thank everyone involved enough
h for their dedication and diligence.”
Metro-North was able to restore service on the Hudson Line on Tuesday, Sept\ 7
just days after the remnants of Hurricane Ida unleashed record-setting rains in the region
and damaged infrastructure along the line. Service since then has operated every half hour,
with some trains operating hourly.
Following initial post-storm inspections and clearance of trees, vegetation and debris from the
tracks, MTA crew members and contractors restored slopes and ballast that had been washed out by
floodwaters at multiple locations throughout the Hudson Line, and installed more than 600 cubic yards
of heavy stone fill to stabilize areas surrounding tracks for safe operation. Much of the work has been at
Greystone, where waters cascaded down from Warburton Avenue creating a mudslide onto the tracks,
and at Dobbs Ferry, where damage to a culvert has removed two tracks from service until permanent repairs can be made.
Metro-North reminds customers to check , the MYmta.app, or Metro-North's TrainTime app prior to traveling.
Explore New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley by Taking Subways, Buses, LIRR and Metro-North Gives MTA Customers Inspiration for Car-Free Daytrips
New MTA AWAY Program Streamlines Destination Deals and Promotional Opportunities for Businesses, Cultural Organizations, and Travel and Tourism Partners
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the formal launch of MTA AWAY as a way to help New Yorkers leave the car, choose mass transit, and experience all the events and destinations the New York region has to offer. With so much to see and do in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, customers from every stretch of the MTA’s footprint can now enjoy special savings on daytrip destinations, outdoor activities and events, all easily accessible by taking mass transit.
MTA AWAY replaces the former Deals and Getaways programs run by each agency. Now, customers can learn about current deals and destinations regardless of the agency, through robust digital signage appearing in stations and onboard trains and buses, and on a brand new dedicated website—. The site offers original content and showcases partnerships with travel and tourism organizations including Hudson Valley Happenings, Discover Long Island, NYC & Company and TDF/TKTS. These partners provide seasonal content which includes itineraries, dining and activity guides, event suggestions and more. features destination details and the easiest way to get to them, whether it be taking the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, subways or buses.
Customers using the system will notice MTA AWAY digital advertisements playing in stations. The ads feature QR codes that .
“Today’s launch puts all the events and destinations New York has to offer in one place. Planning for a daytrip has never been easier,” said Sarah Meyer, MTA Chief Customer Officer. “Just go to and you can find places to go and know how to get there. You don’t need to own or rent a car to get to New York’s favorite destinations! Riding our buses and trains are good for the planet and even better for your wallet.”
“The Long Island Rail Road is a critical asset to Long Island residents and visitors alike and Discover Long Island is pleased to provide Long Island destination information in the new MTA AWAY program," said Discover Long Island President & CEO, Kristen Reynolds. "With so many of our downtowns and iconic attractions located on or near LIRR train stops, this new consumer program provides information and access that encourages year-round travel to Long Island with the ease and convenience of public transit."
“We are pleased to support the newly launched MTA AWAY program, which will inspire regional travel to New York City and add value to the visitor experience through a multitude of offers,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO, NYC & Company.
To celebrate the launch of , MTA and amNY partnered for the “Fun Fall Giveaway”. The sweepstakes, which starts today and runs through Oct. 21, gives New Yorkers a chance to win admission tickets to top attractions and events, 7-day MetroCards, an overnight Long Island escape and much more. Enter via . See full . Customers who pick up a hard copy of amNY Metro also will find the “Car-Free Guide”, a special section that has details on destinations offered through the MTA AWAY program.
MTA AWAY also makes it easier for prospective business partners to do business with the Authority. By creating an umbrella for all agency promotions, prospective promotional partners can develop co-branded MTA AWAY campaigns to reach the millions of riders who use the system every day, from subway and bus customers in New York City to railroad customers on Long Island, and in the Hudson Valley and Connecticut.
The first deal under the MTA AWAY program was with The Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit. Van Gogh offered discounts to MTA customers and also sponsored the Authority’s 11th Mask Force, providing Van Gogh-branded t-shirts for volunteers---who give free masks to MTA customers---and merchandise. A sampling of current deals offered through MTA AWAY include discounts on admission to Museum of Modern Art, Storm King Art Center, and the New York Botanical Garden. MTA’s current discount rail and admission packages include: Escorted Long Island Wine Tours, Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, the Bronx Zoo and the Hudson River Museum.
Railroad customers can save even more on weekend trips during the fall by taking advantage of . Under the Autumn Weekends program, LIRR and Metro-North honor all monthly tickets for travel on weekends to and from any LIRR and Metro-North stations, regardless of the stations printed on the ticket. Additionally, monthly ticketholders traveling on those weekend days will be able to bring up to four additional travelers for only $1.00 per person each way. Please note, however, that LIRR tickets are only valid for travel on LIRR, and Metro-North tickets are only valid for travel on Metro-North
FISHKILL, NY (Dutchess County)—The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, MTA Metro-North Railroad,
NYS Department of Transportation, and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
announced today that work will commence October 12, 2021 on safety improvements to the
Breakneck Ridge Station. Once complete, Metro-North will be able to reopen the station as a
weekend stop on the Hudson Line. This is an interim step towards the comprehensive
redesign of the Route 9D corridor north of Breakneck known as the Breakneck Connector.
That segment will mark the first mile of the planned 7.5-mile Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail linear
park when it goes to construction next year.
Some initial site preparation has already taken place in the area between the train tracks and
Route 9D. Metro-North removed overgrowth to ready the area for necessary measures including
an off-road trail that will connect passengers to the southbound platform, a safety fence separating
pedestrians from the railroad tracks, and temporary wayfinding signage. The station safety improvements
are slated for completion before year’s end. The project is being funded by Hudson Highlands
Fjord Trail and MTA funds secured by State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef of District 95 for
Metro-North.
“Safety is at the core of everything we do,” said Catherine Rinaldi, President of MTA Metro-North
Railroad. “Our Breakneck Ridge station is the gateway to one of the most popular and iconic
hiking destinations in the region. As Metro-North ridership continues to recover, especially
weekend ridership, I am thrilled that Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail is moving ahead with these
safety improvements and that we will soon be able to reopen a safer and more inviting
station for our returning customers.”
“The fencing Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail will install is the first step in implementing the larger
Breakneck Connector project. Safety has always been one of our core aims and securing the
tracks from pedestrians in this busy hiking destination is a major step forward,” said Amy Kacala,
Executive Director of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail.
The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail is envisioned as a world-class linear park, spanning 7.5
miles along the Hudson River connecting the Village of Cold Spring and the City of Beacon
in New York State’s Hudson Valley. Construction of the first segment of the Fjord Trail will
commence in 2022. Metro-North, NYS DOT, and NYS Parks are among the many partners
working together to make the Fjord Trail a reality, including local municipalities, governmental agencies, community groups, and regional conservation organizations, such as project lead
Scenic Hudson. The Metro-North Hudson Line includes three stations where visitors will beable
to access the Fjord Trail directly: Cold Spring, Beacon, and, once reopened, the Breakneck
Ridge station.
“This next step in improving the safety of the Route 9D corridor and the hiking experience in
the Hudson Highlands is due to the collaboration of many partners. We thank everyone for the
thoughtfulness of the approach to the entire system. It’s an exciting time to be in the Highlands,” said Linda Cooper, Taconic Regional Director for New York State Parks.
Explore New York City, Long Island and the
Hudson Valley by Taking Subways, Buses, LIRR and Metro-North
Gives MTA Customers Inspiration for Car-Free Daytrips
New MTA AWAY Program Streamlines Destination Deals and
Promotional Opportunities for Businesses, Cultural
Organizations, and Travel and Tourism Partners
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today
announced the formal launch of MTA AWAY as a way to
help New Yorkers leave the car, choose mass transit, and
experience all the events and destinations the New York
region has to offer. With so much to see and do in New York
, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, customers from every stretch of the
MTA’s footprint can now enjoy special savings on daytrip
destinations, outdoor activities and events, all easily accessible by taking mass
transit.
MTA AWAY replaces the former Deals and Getaways
programs run by each agency. Now, customers can learn
about current deals and destinations regardless of the
agency, through robust digital signage appearing in stations and onboard trains
and buses, and on a brand new dedicated website—.
The site offers original content and showcases partnerships
with travel and tourism organizations including Hudson
Valley Happenings, Discover Long Island, NYC & Company
and TDF/TKTS. These partners provide seasonal content
which includes itineraries, dining and activity guides, event
suggestions and more. features destination details and the
easiest way to get to them, whether it be taking the Long
Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, subways or buses.
Customers using the system will notice MTA AWAY digital
advertisements playing in stations. The ads feature QR codes that .
“Today’s launch puts all the events and destinations New
York has to offer in one place. Planning for a daytrip has
never been easier,” said Sarah Meyer, MTA Chief Customer
Officer. “Just go to and you can find places to go and know
how to get there. You don’t need to own or rent a car to get
to New York’s favorite destinations! Riding our buses and trains are good for the planet and even better for your wallet.”
“The Long Island Rail Road is a critical asset to Long Island
residents and visitors alike and Discover Long Island is
pleased to provide Long Island destination information in the
new MTA AWAY program," said Discover Long Island President & CEO, K
risten Reynolds. "With so many of our downtowns and iconic attractions located on or near LIRR train stops, this new consumer program provides information and access that encourages year-round travel to Long Island with the ease and convenience of public transit."
I used to use White Plains station in the early 1960s. The area is changed a lot. The new station is 2 blocks north of the old station. There are high rise appartments where the old station was. The old station looked like a mini GCT, with 3 large arched windows out front and back, and a single arched window on each side. It had 3 tracks at the time, and looked like it had 4 tracks at one time. It was reduced to 2 tracks (as it is today) by the mid 1960s.
Dave, Am I missing something? I would not send a crew into a flooded tunnel with a diesel powered punp or are they all going in with sufficient oxygen to maintain their needs?
Historic Upgrade Will Enable Service Increases, Reaffirms Commitment to Rail Service for Naugatuck Valley
Communities
Project Completed in Collaboration with the
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Eliminates Final Manual Signal System on Railroad
Metro-North Railroad today announced it has installed signals, Positive Train Control (PTC) and passing sidings along the Waterbury Branch. The completion represents a historic upgrade to a branch that was built in 1849, underscores the State of Connecticut’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading the branch, and eliminates the final segment of Metro-North Railroad that had been operating without an automatic signal system.
Though the Waterbury Branch had been exempt from PTC because it lacked a signal system, Metro-North and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) nevertheless brought signals to the branch allowing for PTC to be activated on Nov. 20. PTC automates key operational functions and reduces the potential of human error to contribute to train accidents. With the activation of the Waterbury Branch, all parts of Metro-North are now operating in PTC.
“The successful installation of the new signal system on the Waterbury Branch allowed us to bring the final segment of Metro-North online for PTC, increasing passenger safety, while also giving us the ability to provide more service on the branch in the future,” said Catherine Rinaldi, President of Metro-North Railroad. “I would like to thank CTDOT for being great partners throughout this project and am excited for our Connecticut customers to reap the benefits of a smoother commuting experience.”
“Simply put, PTC and signalization mean better safety and better service,” said Joseph Giulietti, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. “Metro-North has been an essential partner in advancing the Waterbury Branch into the future and helping lay the groundwork for expanded train service. We thank them for playing an important part in helping us move Connecticut forward.”
The new signal system, known as Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), was brought online this month by Metro-North crews at the direction of the CTDOT, which provided funding. The CTC system allows trains to safely travel at speeds of up to 60 mph. The signalization project was recognized as the Infrastructure Project of the Year by the Connecticut chapter of the .
Work on the project began in April 2019 and finished at the beginning of November. In that time crews completely upgraded the signal system on the entire branch. Crews replaced more than 13,000 rail ties to keep train tracks in a good state of repair, and passing sidings were added where trains can pass each other at Derby, Beacon Falls, and just south of Waterbury, with a fourth to be installed at Devon. The siding installations give Metro-North the potential to increase train service and provide more flexibility to reduce congestion during peak periods.
Since Metro-North started operating service on the Waterbury Branch in 1983, trains have operated under a Manual Block System, the industry standard for rail lines without an automatic signaling system. That system required a Rail Traffic Controller at Metro-North’s Operations Control Center to provide authority to each train’s crew to proceed between various points (or “blocks”) on the line. The new CTC system is a significant upgrade, allowing additional capacity and safety on the line.
CTDOT looks to build on the signal-system installation with plans to install two-way rail service on the branch in the coming months. With the signaling-system upgrades and the addition of the passing sidings, service can increase on the branch to as many as 22 trains each weekday beginning as early as the summer of 2022. Increased service on the Waterbury Line was funded by $1.23 million in Connecticut state funding; $1.3 billion in federal funds will further enhance and expand these efforts.
History of the Waterbury Branch
The Waterbury Branch can trace its roots back to the original Naugatuck Railroad opened in 1849 between Bridgeport and Winsted, CT. The line was acquired by the New York, New Haven & Hartford in 1887, becoming fully integrated into their system in 1906. Control of the line passed to Penn Central in 1969 and to Conrail in 1976. Metro-North took over the contract for operating commuter service between Bridgeport and Waterbury on behalf of Connecticut Department of Transportation in 1983.
In 1982, CTDOT invested for the future by purchasing the tracks to preserve them for future rail service. After freight service was abandoned north of Waterbury in 1995, the new Naugatuck Railroad began operations in 1996, providing freight service to local businesses and also bringing tourism revenue to the area by operating seasonal passenger excursions utilizing the historic fleet of trains maintained by the volunteers of the Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston, CT.
The New York State Senate today confirmed Janno Lieber as the Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA) following his nomination on Jan. 8 by Governor Kathy Hochul. Lieber has been serving as MTA Acting
Chair and CEO since July 2021 and becomes the Authority’s 15th Chair since it was founded in 1968. In that time, Lieber
has led the MTA’s recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, spearheading the hiring of transit workers, accelerating
capital renewal efforts despite financial uncertainty, and restoring the public’s confidence in the system.
Lieber has worked in public service and on public projects for decades, starting his career in the Ed Koch
administration, where he worked with the MTA from a position in City Hall during the agency’s first great revival in the 1980s under Bob Kiley and David Gunn.
Prior to being appointed Acting Chair and CEO of the MTA in July 2021, Lieber served as President of MTA Construction & Development.
At Construction & Development, Lieber oversaw the approval of the groundbreaking $51.5 billion 2020-2024 Capital
Program. He successfully managed the on-time and on-budget completion of the Train Tunnel Project, the Long
Island Rail Road Double Track, and dramatically improved the pace of accessibility upgrade projects, completing a historic
11 ADA stations in 2020 despite the COVID-19 public health crisis. Lieber also led the rehabilitation effort of the F line
Rutgers Tube, the last of the Superstorm Sandy-damaged subway tunnels, in record time.
Other megaprojects Lieber has overseen include East Side Access, LIRR Mainline Expansion-Third Track, Metro-North
Penn Station Access, the 42 St Connector project and the reconstruction and expansion of Penn Station.
Lieber also helped spearhead the agency's successful efforts to secure $14.5 billion from the federal government in the
face of the pandemic-induced financial crisis.
Prior to his arrival at the MTA, Lieber served as President of World Trade Center Properties for 14 years, where he
managed the multibillion dollar development of Silverstein Properties' projects as the World Trade Center was rebuilt
following 9/11. Before that, Lieber headed public-private development at Lawrence Ruben Company, and, as a consultant,
worked with clients including Chicago Transit Authority, New Jersey Transit, and Penn Station Redevelopment Corp.,
the agency then responsible for the Moynihan Train Hall project.
During the Clinton Administration, Lieber served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy
at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Earlier in his career, Lieber practiced law at the New York firm of Patterson,
Belknap Webb & Tyler and served as a transportation policy advisor in the Office of New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
Lieber is a graduate of Harvard University and New York University Law School. He lives with his wife in Brooklyn.
Elizabeth Velez Confirmed as MTA Board Member
The New York State Senate today also confirmed Elizabeth Velez as a member of the MTA Board following her
nomination on Jan. 8 by Governor Kathy Hochul. Velez is Governor Hochul’s first board member appointment
to the MTA Board.
“Elizabeth Velez is an excellent addition to the MTA Board,” said MTA Chair and CEO Lieber. “Elizabeth not
only has a deep understanding of the value of transportation to New Yorkers, and brings a wealth of experience
in large-scale capital projects. That experience will be vital to the execution of the MTA’s historic capital program t
hat will modernize and expand the transit network and provide enhanced equity and accessibility to New Yorkers
in the years ahead.”
“The transit system is the critical connector for New Yorkers,” said MTA Board Member Elizabeth Velez. “I am
excited join the board at such an important time. Together we will help ensure that the incoming federal funding for
infrastructure is put to good use, and as Chair Lieber said, brings the MTA system into the 21st Century. I’d like to again thank
Governor Hochul for the nomination and the Senate for confirmation, I cannot wait to get started.”
Velez is currently the President of the Velez Organization, a second-generation construction firm started in 1972 by
her father, Andrew Velez. To her credit are hundreds of projects which have come to fruition under her direction,
including over 600 units of housing made affordable by State and Federal grants in the Bronx and Harlem, and
over ten billion dollars of significant educational, healthcare and large-scale projects throughout New York.
She is a Trustee of Boricua College; an accredited private institution serving primarily Latinas through three
campuses in New York. She serves on the advisory boards of numerous New York City and New York State
agencies, industry non-profits, and groups supporting mentorship and scholarships for youth.
4 feb. '22
The incident occurred at 10:00 a.m. train service was suspended between Van Cortlandt Park-242 St and 168 St-Washington Heights in both directions for approximately two hours while the NYPD concluded an on-scene investigation
More Affordable, More Flexible and More Fair: OMNY Will Offer Best Weekly Fares Automatically with New Fare Capping
LIRR and Metro-North to Offer New 20-Trip Tickets and 10% Discount of Monthly Tickets
To Encourage Commuter Rail Ridership Within New York City, MTA to Extend Weekend ‘City Ticket’ Pricing to Weekday Off-Peak Trains
To encourage New Yorkers to get back on subways, buses, and trains, and to reduce the cost and worry surrounding everyday travel, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced a pilot fare program that is more affordable, more flexible and more fair.
The temporary promotional changes to fare structures will begin Feb. 28 for New York City Transit and Feb. 25 for commuter rail tickets. The pilot will last for at least four months.
“Bringing riders back to mass transit depends on three variables – reliability, safety and price. We’ve made it a priority to get creative on fares,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Transit affordability is also an equity issue, and we are committed to providing a wide range of new discounts, while ensuring the MTA maintains a solid bottom line.”
“Fare capping will save many of our riders money and give them more flexibility,”said MTA Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer. “At a time when New Yorkers are paying more for everyday items, the MTA is helping them save money on transportation, one of their most essential expenses. Customers no longer have to choose between buying a weekly unlimited pass or paying per ride: With OMNY, they will always get the best deal automatically. We hope riders embrace the new program, and we’ll be watching to see how it affects our operations and farebox revenue. If the pilot is successful, we could extend it or make it permanent.”
Fare Capping Pilot for New York City Transit – Free Unlimited Rides Achieved After 12 OMNY Taps Automatically, Monday Through Sunday
The best weekly fare will be available to all riders who tap with OMNY, without the burden of pre-paying for the week, or having to track their progress.
OMNY’s technology provides enhanced flexibility to subway, local bus, and Staten Island Railway customers, so they can start accumulating the benefits weekly without having to sign up. Anybody with a device or contactless card can start tapping their way to free rides as long as they use the same device or card each time.
Customers who tap and go with OMNY will be charged the standard $2.75 pay-per-ride fare for their first 12 trips starting every Monday. Any trips after that through the following Sunday would be free.
As a result, no OMNY customer would pay more than $33.00 per week, which is the current price of a seven-day unlimited-ride MetroCard. This way customers receive the benefits of a seven-day unlimited-ride card without having to decide to pay upfront.
Free transfers between subways and buses will continue to be offered to all customers under this pilot. Two-part trips that are linked by a free transfer between subway and bus are considered one trip toward the 12 needed to reach the free-fare threshold each week.
Three Big Fare Changes for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
The MTA recognizes the evolving transportation needs of our customers with flexible work hours, and the fare pilot offers new, more affordable ticketing options for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad customers.
The pilot also offers promotional fares designed to encourage railroad ridership within New York City. The MTA will offer three major changes to railroad fares.
A new 20-trip ticket will offer 20% off the comparable 20 peak one-way fares when purchased through MTA eTix, or at a ticket window.
Monthly tickets, which are currently discounted between 48% and 61% of the price of a comparable number of one-way peak tickets, will be discounted by an additional 10%.
CityTicket, which offers a reduced, flat fare on rail travel within New York City on weekends, will be extended to all weekday off-peak trains at a fare of $5.
This is a $2.25 or 31% discount from Metro-North’s current weekday fare between the Bronx and Manhattan, which is $7.25. (CityTicket must be purchased and activated before boarding the train. Metro-North’s off-peak fare between the Bronx and Manhattan remains $13 when purchased on board the train.)
All LIRR and Metro-North fares will remain off peak through Feb. 28, 2022.
Next Steps
The MTA will evaluate the new fares’ impact on operations, the customer experience and farebox revenue. If the pilot proves successful, the new fare structures could be extended or become permanent.
Metro-North Railroad Teams Up with NYC-Based
Oonee to Provide Secure Bike Storage at Major Transit Hub
View Video from Today’s News Conference
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that secure bike storage is available at Grand Central Terminal thanks to a pilot program being made possible by a partnership between MTA Metro-North Railroad and Oonee, a Brooklyn-based startup that creates pop-up secure bike parking facilities. The pilot program, which was in October, is expected to last one year and includes a mini-pod with six parking spaces.
The pod was installed at Grand Central’s former taxiway space at 43rd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. The space provides direct access to the terminal’s west balcony and main concourse and is protected from rain and snow by a large overhang. The launch continues the MTA’s commuter railroads ongoing efforts to become more bike friendly. Last August, Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road that bike permits would no longer be required onboard trains as of Sept. 7, 2021.
“This is the time to think seriously about using micro-mobility to expand the reach of the MTA network,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “One way to bring riders back to the system is to make customers’ overall trips easier. Cycling exploded during the pandemic, and this pilot is a step towards improving bike access.”
“Metro-North is thrilled to build on its ongoing efforts to provide sustainable transportation options for riders,” said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “I’d like to thank the Metro-North Stations Department for working so hard to make this pilot happen, and Board Member Norman Brown who first brought Shabazz and the great work that he has been doing to my attention.”
“The launch of this secure bike parking pilot represents a major milestone in for the New York City region,” said Shabazz Stuart, Founder & CEO of Oonee. “Cycling integration has the potential to drastically improve the range of transit facilities while also enhancing the passenger experience. We’re hopeful that this is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our region.”
“Access to secure bike parking is a key way to encourage more biking in New York City, and we are thrilled to see the MTA working with Oonee to launch the secure bike parking pilot today,” said Danny Harris, Transportation Alternatives Executive Director. “As our report last year found, bike parking in New York City has not kept up with the bike boom, and secure facilities like Oonee will help us catch up to peer cities around the world that have prioritized this infrastructure. We expect that this pilot will be hugely popular and hope it expands to many more transit hubs and neighborhoods across the five boroughs and the MTA region.”
The pilot features the debut of the six-space secure bike parking pod known as Oonee’s . Use of the pod will require a reservation through membership with Oonee, which will allow users to unlock a private space inside the pod using a keycard or smartphone. Reservations will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. Oonee memberships are free to the public and anyone can register on.
The storage pod installation and maintenance were handled by Oonee. Through their customer support, Oonee Care, Oonee will handle the upkeep of the storage pod and respond to any customer service needs. The pod will have a free air pump with both Presta and Schrader valves, hydraulic sliding doors for easy access to pod, automated closing doors, and insurance coverage for both bike and scooter owners.
For current information on taking your bike on MTA subways, buses and commuter rail, visit .
About Oonee
Oonee began when founder Shabazz Stuart realized that secure parking for bicycles was critical for convenient and reliable mobility in cities. Despite this obvious need, and the growing number of cyclists on the street, there was no solution available for smart, attractive, secure bike parking structures.
After more than a year of meeting with urban planners, cyclists, transportation advocates, public space managers, and real estate developers, it became clear that any impactful solution would require a completely new, fresh approach. Stuart and co-founder J. Manuel Mansylla realized the need for a kind of nimble streetscape infrastructure that could provide parking options for bikes and scooters, but also would be capable of enhancing the surrounding public space environment.
Each customizable Oonee pod features bike parking on the inside and public space amenities on the exterior. For sponsors and institutions, the easy-to-install pods offer an unlimited array of branding opportunities. For cyclists, Oonee offers affordable, secure bike parking, and finally, a solution that works.
NYC Transit Set Post-Omicron Wave Record March 10, Carrying 4.8 Million Riders on Subways and Buses for First Time Since Dec. 10, 2021
76,000 New Yorkers Hit “Lucky 13” in First Two Weeks of OMNY Fare-Capping Pilot More Than 473,000 Commuter Rail Rides Purchased with New 20-Trip Ticket
View Video of Today’s News Conference
COVID-19 arrived in New York City two years ago, emptying schools and office buildings as New York prepared to shut down for the first time in the city’s history. Since then, every industry has been forced to reimagine the way it does business, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) had to reimagine ways to adjust to a new normal, while keeping New York’s most essential workers moving throughout the pandemic.
Agency-wide, Employee-Driven Food
Drive Initiative to Provide 3,290 Meals
to Families in Need Over the Holidays
MTA Partners with Food Bank for New York
City, Feeding Westchester, Food Bank of
the Hudson Valley, The Food Bank of Lower
Fairfield County and Island Harvest
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employees, in coordination with officers from the MTA Police Department, delivered 3,947 pounds in donations from its employee-driven food drive campaign which included “Stuff an Electric Bus” to help provide food for those in need during the holiday season. The food drive included donations from New York City Transit subways and buses, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bridges and Tunnels and MTA Police. The Authority partnered with five local food banks: Food Bank for New York City, Feeding Westchester, Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County and Island Harvest. Donations were collected at more than 40 employee facilities throughout the MTA’s agencies.
NYC Transit’s electric bus #4961, which was also featured in this summer’s ‘Hometown Heroes Ticker Tape Parade,’ picked up donations from the Michael J. Quill Depot and drove them to Food Bank for New York City’s warehouse in Hunts Point. LIRR and Metro-North donations were picked up by MTA Police officers and delivered to the food banks in those territories.
At a time when food insecurity is increasing, thanks to the generosity of MTA employees, 3,290 meals will be served to families during the holidays.
“The MTA has kept the region moving since the pandemic began, and now our employees are taking it even further by helping their neighbors in need,” said MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “I want to thank our partners at the MTA PD who helped make sure this food can get to those who need it most this holiday season.”
“At a time where so many New Yorkers are struggling, it’s amazing to see MTA employees who are helping ensure their neighbors can have a happy holiday season,” said Acting President at the MTA Bus Company and New York City Transit Senior Vice President of Buses Frank Annicaro. “Our colleagues at all 28 bus depots and central maintenance facilities across the city rose to the challenge, and I could not be prouder to be part of this team.”
“The MTA Police Department stands ready to help its neighbors struggling with hunger, and it is important that everyone knows about food insecurity, especially during the holiday season,” said MTAPD Chief of Operations Joseph McGrann. “I want to thank the officers who spent countless hours delivering food and toys to those who need it most this holiday season.”
“We are incredibly grateful for all of the amazing MTA employees who gathered resources and collected food to support our mission to fight hunger across the five boroughs this holiday season,” said Food Bank For New York City President and CEO Leslie Gordon. “At a time when 1.6 million New Yorkers are currently facing food insecurity, each and every gift makes a difference for our neighbors in need. We owe a debt of gratitude to our friends at the MTA, not only for the donations they made today, but for the work they’ve done on the frontlines to keep our city moving throughout the pandemic.”
MTA employees also donated thousands of toys to the MTA Police Explorer’s annual Sergeant Susan and Harry Atkinson Memorial Toy Drive. Susan Atkinson was a Long Island Rail Road Police Sergeant who started the toy drive in 1991. Atkinson and her husband Harry spent countless hours collecting toys for underprivileged children in the New York metropolitan area. Susan passed away in 1999, and now the MTA Law Enforcement Explorers continue the tradition in her honor.
The MTA’s All Generational Transportation Employee Group also collected 202 coats and 74 children’s coats, hats and sweaters to be donated to the Bowery Mission.
The New York State Senate today confirmed Janno Lieber as the Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) following his nomination on Jan. 8 by Governor Kathy Hochul. Lieber has been serving as MTA Acting Chair and CEO since July 2021 and becomes the Authority’s 15th Chair since it was founded in 1968. In that time, Lieber has led the MTA’s recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, spearheading the hiring of transit workers, accelerating capital renewal efforts despite financial uncertainty, and restoring the public’s confidence in the system.
Lieber has worked in public service and on public projects for decades, starting his career in the Ed Koch administration, where he worked with the MTA from a position in City Hall during the agency’s first great revival in the 1980s under Bob Kiley and David Gunn.
At Construction & Development, Lieber oversaw the approval of the groundbreaking $51.5 billion 2020-2024 Capital Program. He successfully managed the on-time and on-budget completion of the Train Tunnel Project, the Long Island Rail Road Double Track, and dramatically improved the pace of accessibility upgrade projects, completing a historic 11 ADA stations in 2020 despite the COVID-19 public health crisis. Lieber also led the rehabilitation effort of the F line Rutgers Tube, the last of the Superstorm Sandy-damaged subway tunnels, in record time.
Other megaprojects Lieber has overseen include East Side Access, LIRR Mainline Expansion-Third Track, Metro-North Penn Station Access, the 42 St Connector project and the reconstruction and expansion of Penn Station.
Lieber also helped spearhead the agency's successful efforts to secure $14.5 billion from the federal government in the face of the pandemic-induced financial crisis.
Prior to his arrival at the MTA, Lieber served as President of World Trade Center Properties for 14 years, where he managed the multibillion dollar development of Silverstein Properties' projects as the World Trade Center was rebuilt following 9/11. Before that, Lieber headed public-private development at Lawrence Ruben Company, and, as a consultant, worked with clients including Chicago Transit Authority, New Jersey Transit, and Penn Station Redevelopment Corp., the agency then responsible for the Moynihan Train Hall project.
During the Clinton Administration, Lieber served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Earlier in his career, Lieber practiced law at the New York firm of Patterson, Belknap Webb & Tyler and served as a transportation policy advisor in the Office of New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
The New York State Senate today also confirmed Elizabeth Velez as a member of the MTA Board following her nomination on Jan. 8 by Governor Kathy Hochul. Velez is Governor Hochul’s first board member appointment to the MTA Board.
“Elizabeth Velez is an excellent addition to the MTA Board,” said MTA Chair and CEO Lieber. “Elizabeth not only has a deep understanding of the value of transportation to New Yorkers, and brings a wealth of experience in large-scale capital projects. That experience will be vital to the execution of the MTA’s historic capital program that will modernize and expand the transit network and provide enhanced equity and accessibility to New Yorkers in the years ahead.”
“The transit system is the critical connector for New Yorkers,” said MTA Board Member Elizabeth Velez. “I am excited join the board at such an important time. Together we will help ensure that the incoming federal funding for infrastructure is put to good use, and as Chair Lieber said, brings the MTA system into the 21st Century. I’d like to again thank Governor Hochul for the nomination and the Senate for confirmation, I cannot wait to get started.”
Velez is currently the President of the Velez Organization, a second-generation construction firm started in 1972 by her father, Andrew Velez. To her credit are hundreds of projects which have come to fruition under her direction, including over 600 units of housing made affordable by State and Federal grants in the Bronx and Harlem, and over ten billion dollars of significant educational, healthcare and large-scale projects throughout New York.
She is a Trustee of Boricua College; an accredited private institution serving primarily Latinas through three campuses in New York. She serves on the advisory boards of numerous New York City and New York State agencies, industry non-profits, and groups supporting mentorship and scholarships for youth.
March 27th
Distillind two very recent NYMTA announcements.
1. One of the 16 NYCTA battery-electric buses is being displayed at the NYCity Auto Shjow.
2. To hear the stoeiws of some of the most recent NYCTA training vclasses, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKNNBT-qfAA.
The Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) was concieved in 2019. Good thing they waited until now to do the EA (Environmental Assesment). Perhaps with the loss of some office workers in the business district they will find that maybe they don't need it now.
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