New York City - Transit News

[mrnyc]

34st is getting a 14st style busway --




NYC plans 'busway' for 34th Street that would ban most car traffic

City transportation officials plan to ban most passenger vehicle traffic from 34th Street as part of an effort to speed up one of Manhattan’s slowest and busiest bus routes.

The transportation department said it would propose the “busway” to a Midtown community board on Monday night. The plan would impose new traffic restrictions along the corridor between Third and Ninth Avenues, only allowing buses and trucks to drive along the street. Under the changes, any passenger vehicle that turns onto 34th Street in the area would have to take the next required turn off the street.

Officials said they plan to implement the changes later this year. The M34 bus route that runs along 34th Street is used by roughly 28,000 daily riders, but averages a speed of just 3 mph during peak periods, according to the transportation department.


more:
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-plans-busway-for-34th-street-that-would-ban-most-car-traffic

[mrnyc]

3-year Amtrak East River tunnel repair work to begin on Friday night, impacting LIRR riders

By Barbara Russo-Lennon
Posted on May 22, 2025


After weeks of conflict between Amtrak and the Long Island Raid Road (LIRR), a full shutdown of an East River rail tunnel will begin Friday night as part of a three-year rehabilitation project.

Officials from Amtrak and the LIRR have been disagreeing on the logistics surrounding the extensive repair job that will take place in the tunnel tubes that both train lines use. Amtrak has insisted that a full shutdown of two key tubes in the East River tunnel is necessary to conduct critical infrastructure repairs, much of which includes damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012.


more:
https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/amtrak-east-river-tunnel-repair-lirr-05232025/

[mrnyc]

rampant fare evasion continues since covid —




Subway shame! Fare evasion thrives despite MTA and NYPD efforts to stop the revenue-losing scourge

By Barbara Russo-Lennon
Posted on June 9, 2025

https://www.amny.com/news/mta-efforts-to-stop-nyc-subway-fare-evasion/

[mrnyc]

cool little throwback video of the queensboro bridge trolley days —


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKfelDFRKvC/?igsh=MW94bXAwbzBmNWZ6eg==

[mrnyc]

the nytimes insta video blog discusses congestion pricing —


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ6jMRDJvkN/?igsh=MnF0dTQyNzQ5ZDdx

[mrnyc]

an incredible and modernly funny video from 1931 of reno-ing the queensboro bridge into being able to handle more modern car traffic —


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKvlTE8xx7B/?igsh=OTd4N3RvdXNtYXcx

[mrnyc]

improving blue highway employment —


Water works: New study reveals growth in NYC Blue Highways workforce on the waterways

By Barbara Russo-Lennon
Posted on June 10, 2025


A new study announced on Tuesday revealed significant growth in the “Blue Highways” workforce. This transportation sector relies on waterways, instead of roads, to move freight in an effort to reduce truck traffic congestion.

The NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) published its first-ever study of the Blue Highways workforce to better understand the labor impacts of the city’s investments in this freight-moving vision. Dubbed NYC’s Working Waterfront: A Blueprint for Blue Highways, the report found that employment in this sector could grow by 72% in the next decade.


more:
https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/blue-highways-career-path-nyc/


The Brooklyn Marine Terminal - NYC Mayoral Photography Unit

[mrnyc]

yep its obvious —



Real road relief: Latest congestion pricing research shows fewer traffic jams and delays across NYC metro area

By Barbara Russo-Lennon
Posted on June 18, 2025


Congestion pricing is having a ripple effect across the tri-state area with less traffic on streets in Manhattan and beyond, according to new data from a major tri-state area research group on Wednesday.

A Regional Plan Association (RPA) report published on June 18 shows that congestion pricing has reduced traffic delays not only within the Manhattan Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) south of 60th Street — where vehicles are charged a base toll of $9 — but also outside the area.

A look at the analysis shows that there are 25% fewer traffic jams in Manhattan, 10% in the Bronx, and 14% in parts of New Jersey.


more:
https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/congestion-pricing-research-traffic-nyc/

[dchan]

^ Ultimately, it comes down to getting rid of what I call "BS traffic".

The main culprits behind the BS traffic were probably daily commuters IMO. They should have been using mass transit to enter the city, but they choose not. Many commuters also became daily drivers post-pandemic due to a combination of fear (of COVID and/or public crime) and habit.

CRZ tolling has put put an end to this freeloading of NYC's public space. $9 may not be much for the occasional driver who needs to enter the city, but it becomes a pain for commuters to drive in 3-5+ days a week.

The naysayer predictions that drivers would circle around neighborhoods outside of the CRZ and the other boroughs looking for parking has largely been unfounded because it never made sense. Before CRZ, commuters drove into the city to park in the early bird garages because it didn't cost them anything extra. After CRZ, they would need to pay roughly the same amount for an early bird garage outside the CRZ, then spend an additional $6 each day for mass transit fare? More likely, these former driver-commuters did the head math and realized that it wasn't so bad to take mass transit directly instead.

Another culprit behind BS traffic would be drivers who drove E-W from NJ into LI or vice versa. Before CRZ, this route could be completely toll-free going west into NJ due to the free East River crossings and the free outbound NJ tunnels & bridges. After CRZ, it now costs $9, or it could be free if you go north to the GWB (though it would be an inconvenience if your destination in NJ was further south). I could see drivers who occasionally need to go E-W to eat the $9, but daily drivers would be harder pressed to pay it each day.

Speaking of which, I paid the $9 last Friday at 4pm when I needed to pick up my family to go to Lancaster, PA. Anecdotally, the traffic going through the city and heading towards the Lincoln Tunnel was much lighter than expected. Afterwards, the traffic merging on to the NJ Turnpike sucked big time, but that's basically like traffic entering any major crossing (multiple lanes bottlenecking into 2-3 lanes).

[mrnyc]

mta hopes to untangle the biggest knot in the subway system, the central brooklyn ‘nostrand interlocking.’




MTA plans to untangle one of NYC's worst subway bottlenecks

ByStephen Nessen
Published Jun 20, 2025


The MTA plans to make life better for 300,000 daily riders by untangling a track bottleneck in Brooklyn that’s strained commutes on New York City’s busiest lines for nearly a century – and it could result in a big change to the subway map’s layout.

It’s called the Nostrand Interlocking, and all who pass through it are familiar with its wrath. The interlocking is located in the stretch of Central Brooklyn where the 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines intersect, and requires dozens of trains to grind to a halt every hour.


more:
https://gothamist.com/news/mta-plans-to-untangle-one-of-nycs-worst-subway-bottlenecks

[mrnyc]

MTA to purchase over 300 New York-built modern commuter railcars

By Barbara Russo-Lennon
Posted on June 24, 2025


Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA announced on Monday a new fleet of railcars will come to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad.

The state-run agency’s finance committee approved the purchase of over 300 new M-9A railcars for both commuter rail lines that bring passengers into and out of NYC. Ultimately, the MTA wants to buy 2,000 new rail cars worth about $10.9 billion as part of its capital plan for 2025-2029.

Officials said 160 cars will go to the LIRR, and 156 cars will go to Metro-North. The modern cars will replace the MTA’s aging fleet on its busy commuter routes.


more:
https://www.amny.com/news/mta-purchase-commuter-railcars-built-in-new-york/

[Busy Bee]

I was gonna get around to posting the image of the M-9A they released. I'm very pleased they've decided to return to the traditional and much better looking headlight/marker light arrangment BUT it's ultimately the exact same car designed 30 years ago. I get that they are sticking with what works for them and it's working off the same general design of the Metropolitan EMU, I just wish they could finesse a handful of things to remind us this is the 21st century and show we can compete with any global alpha city for great looking rolling stock.

I'm also bewildered WHY the MTA is still committed to the Cuomo stripe decals when he's not the governor trying to flex his influence anymore by "state-ify" everything. I don't hate them, I just don't like them - and if your going to put vinyl on the carbody, there's a lot more interesting and eye catching things you could do. I would still prefer the LIRR fleet emphasized yellow by having the entire bonnet be that.

Let's just hope Alstom can actually build and deliver these within 3 calendar years of the date expected.

[mrnyc]

^ totally agree.

its a bit odd they dont seem to be any major upgrade.

maybe its cheaper that way, i dk, but would assume so.

regardless, good news.

here are renderings via the gov’s office:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtaphotos/sets/72177720327050601/

[mrnyc]

always a good topic for debate —


Who Owns the Streets? The Competition for New York’s Public Realm

Ken Fisher
Posted on June 26, 2025


https://www.amny.com/law/who-owns-the-streets-the-competition-for-new-yorks-public-realm/

[mrnyc]

signs of life —



A New Rail Line May Come to New York. Will a Housing Boom Follow?

The Interborough Express, a rail line connecting Brooklyn and Queens, could spur the building of tens of thousands of homes. Obstacles await.


more:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/nyregion/nyc-brooklyn-queens-train-housing.html

[mrnyc]

good — more of this:



Meatpacking District’s historic makeover continues with a new promenade and less room for cars

By Barbara Russo-Lennon
Posted on June 30, 2025


The Meatpacking District’s renaissance is on a roll, as a new promenade opened on West 14th Street, with cool shops, cozy seating, lush landscaping — and less space for driving.

The new pedestrian space opened on June 18 along West 14th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues in Manhattan. It is outfitted with an array of amenities, from chic seating, gathering areas, and spots for public art to more retail and concession space.

Dubbed the West 14th Street Promenade, the area provides more open space on streets and sidewalks and connections to nearby Hudson River Park, making it “primed to become a vibrant retail and entertainment promenade with space,” planners said.


more:
https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/meatpacking-district-historic-promenade/


The West 14th Street Promenade in the Meatpacking District. Photo by: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by dchan

^ Ultimately, it comes down to getting rid of what I call "BS traffic".

The main culprits behind the BS traffic were probably daily commuters IMO. They should have been using mass transit to enter the city, but they choose not. Many commuters also became daily drivers post-pandemic due to a combination of fear (of COVID and/or public crime) and habit.

CRZ tolling has put put an end to this freeloading of NYC's public space. $9 may not be much for the occasional driver who needs to enter the city, but it becomes a pain for commuters to drive in 3-5+ days a week.

The naysayer predictions that drivers would circle around neighborhoods outside of the CRZ and the other boroughs looking for parking has largely been unfounded because it never made sense. Before CRZ, commuters drove into the city to park in the early bird garages because it didn't cost them anything extra. After CRZ, they would need to pay roughly the same amount for an early bird garage outside the CRZ, then spend an additional $6 each day for mass transit fare? More likely, these former driver-commuters did the head math and realized that it wasn't so bad to take mass transit directly instead.

Another culprit behind BS traffic would be drivers who drove E-W from NJ into LI or vice versa. Before CRZ, this route could be completely toll-free going west into NJ due to the free East River crossings and the free outbound NJ tunnels & bridges. After CRZ, it now costs $9, or it could be free if you go north to the GWB (though it would be an inconvenience if your destination in NJ was further south). I could see drivers who occasionally need to go E-W to eat the $9, but daily drivers would be harder pressed to pay it each day.

Speaking of which, I paid the $9 last Friday at 4pm when I needed to pick up my family to go to Lancaster, PA. Anecdotally, the traffic going through the city and heading towards the Lincoln Tunnel was much lighter than expected. Afterwards, the traffic merging on to the NJ Turnpike sucked big time, but that's basically like traffic entering any major crossing (multiple lanes bottlenecking into 2-3 lanes).

I quite agree with the concept of BS traffic. A lot of people will drive just because they can do so, with the added benefit of not having to intermingle with others on their commute.

A lot of people down here in Birmingham were quick to decry downtown road diets and new bike lanes, saying they would only increase congestion and make it more difficult to get around. But, years since the city first started implementing the new patterns, I've witnessed no increase in congestion and people largely respect the new paint on the streets. Whether this is because people are choosing to walk, take a shuttle bus, or decide to simply not run an errand I don't know, but I'm able to get around downtown just as easily as before. People actually thinking about whether or not they need to drive somewhere really cuts down on the number of cars hitting the streets.

[mrnyc]

Originally Posted by SpawnOfVulcan

I quite agree with the concept of BS traffic. A lot of people will drive just because they can do so, with the added benefit of not having to intermingle with others on their commute.

A lot of people down here in Birmingham were quick to decry downtown road diets and new bike lanes, saying they would only increase congestion and make it more difficult to get around. But, years since the city first started implementing the new patterns, I've witnessed no increase in congestion and people largely respect the new paint on the streets. Whether this is because people are choosing to walk, take a shuttle bus, or decide to simply not run an errand I don't know, but I'm able to get around downtown just as easily as before. People actually thinking about whether or not they need to drive somewhere really cuts down on the number of cars hitting the streets.

well said and great observations.

the thing is, just pick off gimmee streets for pedestrian activities, those that don’t bug anybody, like the above short stretch of w14st between 9-10avs, and right away everyone just gets used to it — and hopefully drives less.

[mrnyc]

riding the subway once mamdani is mayor —


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLbfaakAE8M/?igsh=ZTZkZnFmdnNydTM1

[Nouvellecosse]

Just like the subway announcements are a choir singing hymns and clergy reciting prayers under a Christian mayor.