Jacobs, a leading infrastructure and engineering firm, has been chosen by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to manage the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station improvement project. This initiative aims to enhance passenger safety, improve accessibility, and ensure ADA compliance, creating a more user-friendly experience for the LIRR’s 260,000 daily riders.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) held a press conference outside MTA headquarters in Manhattan to demand transparency and accountability regarding the transit agency’s decision to impose a $15 base toll for motorists entering Midtown and lower Manhattan. Gottheimer expressed concerns that the toll would exceed the MTA’s revenue goal of $1 billion per year, potentially leading to an unfair burden on New Jersey residents. The congressman also slammed the MTA for failing to respond to a freedom-of-information request for the data behind the toll calculation.
Councilmember Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) has introduced a resolution calling for an equal number of OMNY card vending machines in each borough. The resolution cites that the MTA should implement at least 30 OMNY vending machines in high-traffic areas for each borough. Currently, there are 10 MetroCard vending machines on Staten Island, which are being phased out. Hanks argues that the $1 fee when purchasing a new OMNY card at a brick-and-mortar store is a “hidden” tax, as there is no way to refill an existing card at a store. The MTA has stated that it plans to install OMNY card vending machines at select stations along the Staten Island Railway and that existing MetroCard machines will remain for the foreseeable future.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is urging the MTA to launch a public awareness campaign to promote the availability of bathrooms in subway stations. According to Levine, many riders are unaware that there are functioning bathrooms in the system. He recommends using maps, automated announcements, and improved signage to guide riders to the restrooms. Currently, 59 stations have restrooms open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., out of a total of 133 bathrooms that existed before the pandemic.
The MTA fare-free bus pilot program, which was launched last fall on five New York City bus routes, will not be renewed. The program, which provided free rides on select buses, was not included in the state budget for the coming fiscal year. The decision to end the program comes as lawmakers allocated over $8.7 billion for transit and transportation in the state budget.
