Jan. 16, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon There has been much talk lately about new security measures for NYC subways, sparked by a recent wave of high-profile, brutal crimes on the trains. This talk has prompted many elected officials to take action. However, are politicians just trying to look good during a heavy election year?…
Jan. 14, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Every subway train in NYC will have two uniformed police officers on board between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily, Gov. Kathy Hochul said during her State of the State address on Tuesday — adding that other major safety measures are coming to the city’s transit system this…
Jan. 14, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Just over a week after congestion pricing launched on Jan. 5, the MTA has yet to say how much money has been reaped from the controversial tolling program’s early days. During a briefing at the MTA’s Lower Manhattan headquarters on Monday, MTA officials said they are still sorting…
Jan. 13, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon and Ethan Stark-Miller There is a way to end street homelessness in New York City and restore safety in the subways, City Comptroller Brad Lander said on Monday. Lander, a contender in the 2025 race for NYC mayor, unveiled his blueprint on Jan. 13 for making subways and…
Jan. 13, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Citi Bike fees increased on Jan. 6 — with more coming on Feb. 3 just as New Yorkers bear the brunt of higher transportation costs this year, including congestion pricing, toll hikes and looming train and bus fare increases. Even so, many New York bicyclists who use Citi…
Jan. 12, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Suburban railways Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) saw a dramatic increase in ridership every day since the launch of congestion pricing on Jan. 5, according to state data. Metrics on the New York State open data portal show that ridership on both commuter lines is…
Jan. 9, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon NYC subways saw a sizable increase in ridership almost every day since the launch of congestion pricing on Sunday, according to state data. Metrics on the New York State open data portal show that the city’s subway ridership on the days following congestion pricing’s launch on Jan. 5 has…
Jan. 5, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Nearly 300 FDNY Emergency Medical Service workers say they’re ready to leave Midtown and Lower Manhattan, citing the financial burden congestion pricing will put on their costs of living, their union announced ahead of the toll program’s Sunday start. Like all NYC workers, members of FDNY Local 2507,…
Jan. 5, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon After five years of debate, legal battles, false starts and logistical challenges, congestion pricing finally became a reality in New York at the stroke of midnight Sunday. The MTA’s first-in-the-nation tolling program now charges all motorists heading into areas of Manhattan south of 60th Street a $9 toll,…
Dec. 26, 2024 By Barbara Russo-Lennon Two New York political leaders abruptly vetoed the MTA’s $68 billion budget to fix mass transit. Although the MTA Board approved the five-year spending plan on Sept. 25, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie sent the MTA a rejection letter on Christmas Eve,…