All articles tagged with #mta
Queens Mayor Zohran Mamdani is advocating for expanding free bus service, inspired by the current free Q70 bus to LaGuardia Airport, and is actively engaging with riders to support his plans, while also addressing housing issues through new initiatives.
The subway fare in New York City increased to $3, sparking frustration among riders who feel the service quality does not justify the higher cost, amid ongoing transit improvements and fare hikes across regional transit systems.
The article details subway service changes in NYC for the weekend of January 2-5, 2026, including station closures, train reroutes, and alternative travel options due to maintenance and upgrades, with tips for planning your trip and signing up for updates.
Starting January 4, 2026, tolls on NYC bridges managed by the MTA and Port Authority will increase by approximately 7.5% to 5%, with additional fare hikes for public transit, including subway and bus fares, to support infrastructure funding and inflation adjustments.
The NYC MTA has minimal planned service changes this weekend due to a winter storm, with most services unaffected except for a scheduled R train reroute on Sunday morning. Travelers are advised to exercise caution on icy surfaces, check real-time updates, and note that MetroCard sales end this week. The New York Transit Museum's Holiday Nostalgia Ride is canceled, and the newsletter encourages signing up for updates. Overall, safety and staying informed are emphasized for the snowy weekend.
The MTA has introduced high-tech, sound-alerting glass doors at two NYC subway stations to combat fare evasion, but determined commuters still find ways to bypass them. The system, part of a pilot program, uses AI sensors and is expected to be deployed across more stations, despite some issues like backpacks getting stuck. The MTA aims to minimize fare evasion with these innovations, though no system is completely foolproof.
The MTA has introduced new smart fare gates at select subway stations to reduce fare evasion, replacing traditional turnstiles with AI-enabled gates that detect unauthorized passage, aiming to improve fare collection and accessibility, with plans to expand to 150 stations.
The Penn Access project to extend Metro-North trains to Penn Station and add four Bronx stations is delayed by at least three years due to conflicts with Amtrak, which controls the tracks needed for the project. The MTA proposes a partial opening with three stations and reduced service by 2027, with full completion now expected around 2030, amid concerns over increased costs and cooperation issues with Amtrak.
The MTA board approved a 4.4% fare increase for LIRR and introduced a new policy expiring tickets at 4 a.m. the day after purchase to combat fare evasion, alongside expanding the Family Fare program to include children up to 17, with all changes taking effect in January.
The MTA board approved a fare increase in NYC, raising the subway and bus fare to $3, along with a 4.5% increase in monthly tickets and a 7% toll hike, starting in January. The transition to the OMNY tap-to-pay system will eliminate coin payments and the 30-day unlimited ride option, but fare capping will continue to limit weekly spending to $35. The fare hike is part of a broader effort to balance the MTA's budget amid rising costs.
The MTA has revised its proposed fare increases for January, reducing some hikes like the seven-day cap and extending ticket usability, after receiving significant public feedback, while maintaining other increases such as the single ride fare and canceling a proposed Metro-North service increase.
The Long Island Rail Road's largest union has authorized a potential strike, but a delay is now expected as unions request federal mediation, postponing job action by several months amid ongoing contract disputes over wages and negotiations. The situation has attracted political attention and prompted contingency plans from the MTA to mitigate service disruptions.
Five unions representing nearly half of the Long Island Rail Road's workforce may strike as early as September 18 due to failed contract negotiations with the MTA, potentially disrupting service for nearly 300,000 daily riders. The MTA plans to implement shuttle buses and other measures to mitigate the impact, but warns that full service cannot be replaced. The dispute centers around wage increases and work rules, with unions demanding higher pay and the MTA citing already high salaries and cost concerns. A strike could significantly affect regional traffic, economy, and daily life.
The MTA has released a contingency plan for nearly 300,000 LIRR riders in case of a strike by unions representing over 3,700 workers, which could occur as soon as September 18. The plan includes limited bus services and remote work recommendations, as negotiations continue amid union demands for higher pay and the MTA's assertions of already high wages. The situation remains uncertain, with potential impacts on commuters and local communities.
The MTA has approved a nearly $2 billion contract to begin construction on the long-delayed Second Avenue Subway extension into East Harlem, including new tunnels and stations, marking a significant milestone 50 years after work was halted in 1975. The project aims to serve 110,000 daily riders and is part of a broader plan to improve transit in Manhattan, with early work starting in September and tunnel boring expected to begin in 2027.