New York to pump $51.5bn into transit

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has proposed investing $51.5 billion in the city’s subways, buses and railroads over the next five years. Janno Lieber, MTA chief development officer, says: “The proposed capital programme will be truly transformational – more trains, more buses, more service, more accessibility and more reliability.” The 2020-2024 Capital Plan would put $40bn into the city’s subways and buses and $6.1bn for 1,900 new subway cars to help mitigate delays. MTA also wa
September 25, 2019 Read time: 3 mins

New York’s 1267 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has proposed investing $51.5 billion in the city’s subways, buses and railroads over the next five years.

Janno Lieber, MTA chief development officer, says: “The proposed capital programme will be truly transformational – more trains, more buses, more service, more accessibility and more reliability.”

The 2020-2024 Capital Plan would put $40bn into the city’s subways and buses and $6.1bn for 1,900 new subway cars to help mitigate delays.

MTA also wants to spend $5.2bn on making stations better equipped for disabled riders so that they are no more than two stops away from an accessible station.

Additionally, the authority would utilise $2.5bn to replace more than 2,200 of the oldest buses and expanding the fleet size by more than 175 vehicles. It proposes investing $1.1bn to purchase 500 electric buses, including replacements and additions. The programme is expected to enable MTA to acquire only e-buses from 2029.

MTA says its proposal would provide the investments necessary for the development of the Long Island Rail Road by the planned December 2022 opening of the East Side Access project and the Main Line Expansion. East Side Access is expected to allow more than 160,000 commuters to travel to Grand Central Terminal, saving up to 40 minutes per day while the Main Line Expansion will add a third track on 10 miles of the Main Line corridor.

As part of the capital plan, MTA is hoping to secure $135m for the continuing reconstruction of the Henry Hudson Bridge and the implementation of open road tolling which it claims could reduce potential collisions by up to 41%.

Affiliate agency MTA Bridges and Tunnels is proposing a separate investment of $3.3bn to construct infrastructure for tolling in the central business district.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels president Daniel DeCrescenzo says the plan will help modernise links in the regional transportation network.

“The plan is integrated with other regional transportation programs to build upon the transformative changes and benefits of cashless tolling, and the continuous bus/HOV lane connecting Staten Island to the Gowanus/Brooklyn-Queens Expressway bus/HOV lane implemented in the 2015-2019 capital plan,” he adds.

The MTA board will review the proposed plan today (25 September). If approved, it will be submitted to the MTA capital review board for consideration and approval.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EU mobility’s Covid escape route
    July 29, 2021
    European Union roads could be more resilient after the pandemic ends, thanks to the goal of creating a more integrated mobility network, says ERF’s José Diez
    Read More
  • US DOT announces funding for bus projects
    September 12, 2016
    The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has selected 61 projects in 41 states, the Virgin Islands and Indian Country to receive a share of nearly US$211 million to replace, rehabilitate and purchase transit buses and related equipment and construct bus-related facilities. Among the projects selected to receive 2016 Bus Program funding are the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which will receive approximately US$5.8 million for the expansion and replacement of transit veh
    Read More
  • Virtual traffic management centres, a new direction in traffic monitoring
    January 30, 2012
    David Crawford picks up a new direction trend in traffic monitoring The surprise winner in the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) category of the recently-announced 2011 OSMOSE (Open Source for MObile and SustainablE city) Awards for European innovations in urban transport, is the Danish city of Aalborg - which doesn't have a TMC. Alternatively, one might consider its 'virtual' TMC as a signpost for the future in medium-sized cities.
    Read More
  • Running on empty
    May 2, 2018
    Drivers are an increasingly rare species on Europe’s commuter metros as unattended train operation is embraced. David Crawford takes a low-speed tour of the continent’s capitals to see what’s happening. Unattended train operation (UTO) is fast becoming the norm for Europe’s metros, on existing as well as new lines. November 2017 statistics published by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) show the continent as having 28% of the global total of route km on lines operating at the ultimate
    Read More

Highlighted Content