Transit

NYC will now have 67 miles of open streets, the most in the U.S.

Photo looking south on open West End Avenue, taken by 6sqft on 5.16.20

June 24, 2020

NYC will now have 67 miles of open streets, the most in the U.S.

New York City will add 23 new miles of open streets, bringing the total to roughly 67 miles of streets closed to cars citywide, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. When the mayor first announced the program, he committed to opening 100 miles of streets throughout the pandemic. "This is going to be great for people looking for a break this summer with all the things going on, a place for kids to exercise and run around," the mayor said during a press conference. "It's growing, and we're going to keep adding to it."
READ MORE

New report calls for a 425-mile protected bikeway that would connect NYC’s five boroughs

Current bike lanes by Union Square; Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

June 17, 2020

New report calls for a 425-mile protected bikeway that would connect NYC’s five boroughs

By Devin Gannon

When the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City earlier this year, many New Yorkers swapped the subway for cycling as a more socially distant way to commute. Now as the city enters its COVID-19 recovery phase, a planning group is calling on officials to build a network of protected bike lanes across the five boroughs. The Regional Plan Association (RPA) on Wednesday released a report that details plans for a 425-mile bikeway that could be constructed over the next five years and provide a continuous, safe connection between the boroughs.
More here

Transit

Pedestrian path on Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens with public art, scenic overlooks, & food vendors

Photo courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

June 15, 2020

Pedestrian path on Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens with public art, scenic overlooks, & food vendors

By Devin Gannon

The pedestrian-bike path on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge officially opened to the public on Monday. The 3.6-mile shared path serves as the "gateway to the Hudson Valley," connecting Westchester and Rockland Counties, and is one of the longest of its kind in the country, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The path features six different scenic overlooks, 10 public art pieces, and three local food trucks.
See it here

Transit

See inside LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B

Photos courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

June 10, 2020

See inside LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B

By Devin Gannon

The new arrivals and departures hall at LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B will officially open on Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced. The 850,000-square-foot, four-level space measures roughly 50 percent bigger than the hall it replaces and comes equipped with more check-in kiosks, security lines, and new screening systems, all aimed at improving efficiency and reducing crowds. The new hall is part of the ongoing reconstruction of LaGuardia, an $8 billion project which first broke ground in 2016.
See inside

Transit

800,000 commuters rode the subway on NYC’s first day of reopening

Day one at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave Station; Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

June 10, 2020

800,000 commuters rode the subway on NYC’s first day of reopening

By Devin Gannon

On Monday, the first day of New York City's phase one reopening, more than 800,000 straphangers rode the subway. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, June 8 became the highest ridership day since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The agency said ridership was up during afternoon peak hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with Manhattan seeing a 20 percent increase in ridership from the week prior. However, this is still just 15 percent of regular ridership compared to last year.
Details here

Transit

NYC makes 14th Street busway permanent, adds five more car-free routes

14th Street Busway; Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

June 8, 2020

NYC makes 14th Street busway permanent, adds five more car-free routes

By Devin Gannon

The busway on 14th Street in Manhattan will be made permanent, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday. The car-free strip of the street, which runs between 3rd and 9th Avenues, launched as part of a pilot program last October. The mayor called the busway, which has proven popular with riders, a "success by every measure." De Blasio also announced the phased-in addition of five new busways and 16.5 miles of bus lanes, which are meant to alleviate crowding for commuters as the city begins the reopening process.
Get the details

Transit

MTA calls on NYC to add 60 miles of bus lanes as city reopens

Photo by Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

June 5, 2020

MTA calls on NYC to add 60 miles of bus lanes as city reopens

By Devin Gannon

With up to 400,000 New Yorkers expected to return to the workforce under the city's phase one reopening on Monday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wants to add 60 miles of dedicated bus lanes to alleviate crowding. In a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sarah Feinberg, interim president of NYC Transit, wrote a "robust bus system will be crucial" for the city's rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.
More here

MTA says de Blasio’s subway plan would only serve 8 percent of riders

Photo: Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

June 4, 2020

MTA says de Blasio’s subway plan would only serve 8 percent of riders

By Devin Gannon

As the city prepares to enter phase one of reopening on Monday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority released this week its plan to return to "regular" service, which no longer means 24-hour service. Subways and buses will run more frequently starting next week, but the subway system will still shut down between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for nightly disinfection. Mayor Bill de Blasio this week also released a plan for transit that calls for capacity limits and blocking off every other seat. But the MTA called the mayor's idea "utterly unworkable" and said his proposed capacity limits would allow the agency to serve just 8 percent of riders.
More here

As NYC prepares to reopen, questions about public transit remain

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

May 29, 2020

As NYC prepares to reopen, questions about public transit remain

By Devin Gannon

New York City will likely begin the reopening process early next month, with as many as 400,000 employees expected to return to work during this first phase, Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week. While the mayor on Thursday released guidelines for phase one businesses to safely reopen without a resurgence of the coronavirus, no plan has been issued from City Hall on how employees returning to the workforce will commute there safely.
Get the details

Cuomo to fast-track NYC infrastructure projects, including overhauls of Penn Station & LaGuardia

Rendering of a new entrance on 8th Avenue to Penn Station, part of the Empire Station Complex via Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office

May 26, 2020

Cuomo to fast-track NYC infrastructure projects, including overhauls of Penn Station & LaGuardia

By Devin Gannon

The state will focus on restarting New York City's economy by accelerating work on major infrastructure projects, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday. "There is no better time to build than right now," Cuomo said during a press briefing. "You need to create jobs and you need to renew and repair this country's economy and its infrastructure." The governor said the state will fast-track infrastructure projects like the renovation and rebuild of Penn Station and LaGuardia Airport.
More here

MTA launches UV light pilot program to kill COVID-19 on NYC subways and buses

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will use ultraviolet light to remove the coronavirus from its subway and bus system, officials announced on Tuesday. For phase one of the $1 million pilot program, the agency will deploy 230 UV light lamps next week on some trains, buses, and MTA facilities. The devices will be used in cars during overnight station closures and at maintenance yards in Corona, Coney Island, Jamaica, and Pelham. If the first phase of the pilot proves successful, the program will expand to Long Island Railroad and Metro-North trains.
See it here

MTA adds social distancing markers, considers reservation system for subway and bus

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

May 18, 2020

MTA adds social distancing markers, considers reservation system for subway and bus

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week launched a pilot program to keep commuters socially distanced on subway platforms. The transit authority installed markers on the floors of a few stations on the Upper East Side that encourage straphangers to remain six feet from others to stop the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to new signage, mask requirements, and a vigorous disinfection plan that involves an overnight shutdown of service, the MTA is also considering creating a reservation system for seats on the city's subways and buses to limit crowds.
Details this way

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT/Flickr

May 13, 2020

NYC opens 12 more miles of open streets

By Dana Schulz

This brings the total to nearly 21 miles since Mayor de Blasio first announced that he'd be opening up 40 miles of streets to pedestrians by the end of the month, with an ultimate goal of 100 miles throughout the current COVID crisis. In his press conference this morning, the mayor announced the third round of open streets totaling 11.7 miles would be opening tomorrow, along with 9.2 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of May. Some of the new open streets include those in Hudson Yards, the first on the Upper West Side and in Long Island City, and those adjacent to seven more parks in Brooklyn.
READ MORE

Second set of NYC open streets launches tomorrow in collaboration with local BIDs

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

May 6, 2020

Second set of NYC open streets launches tomorrow in collaboration with local BIDs

By Dana Schulz

After finally getting on board with the idea of opening New York City streets to pedestrians, Mayor de Blasio closed the first wave of streets to cars earlier this week. This totaled 4.5 miles inside parks and 2.7 miles adjacent to parks; eventually, the city will open up to 100 miles of streets. The next group will open up tomorrow, which includes 1.5 miles in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx done in collaboration with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), as well as 0.4 miles in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Get the full list of streets

NYC subway shuts down for first time in history; see the COVID-19 disinfection plan in action

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit

May 6, 2020

NYC subway shuts down for first time in history; see the COVID-19 disinfection plan in action

By Devin Gannon

For the first time in its 115-year history, the New York City subway system shut down overnight on Wednesday. The closure, which will occur daily from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., is part of a new plan to disinfect every car and station to stop the spread of the coronavirus and protect essential workers. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is increasing bus service to serve essential workers, adding 344 buses to the current 235 that run during that early morning time frame. For-hire car service will also be offered to employees who are unable to use the bus for their commutes.
More this way

First wave of NYC open streets plan to start next week

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

May 1, 2020

First wave of NYC open streets plan to start next week

By Devin Gannon

The first phase of the city's plan to close up to 100 miles of streets to cars will start on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. The first streets to open to pedestrians include 4.5 miles inside parks and 2.7 miles adjacent to parks, according to the mayor. "The goal here is more space, more social distancing," de Blasio said.
Get the details

In response to COVID homeless crisis, MTA bans wheeled carts and enacts one-hour subway limit

Photo by Joey via Flickr cc

April 30, 2020

In response to COVID homeless crisis, MTA bans wheeled carts and enacts one-hour subway limit

By Dana Schulz

When the Daily News shared a photo of a homeless New Yorker on a subway car earlier this week, it drew much attention all the way up to Governor Cuomo. Yesterday, the governor called on the MTA to create a plan to solve the issue. In response, the MTA released a plan today that deals with three main points-- no person is permitted to remain in a station for more than an hour; during a public health emergency, no person can remain on a train or the platform after an announcement that the train is being taken out of service; and wheeled carts greater than 30 inches in length or width are banned.
READ MORE

NYC subways will shut down from 1am-5am for nightly cleanings

Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA New York City Transit via MTA/Flickr

April 30, 2020

NYC subways will shut down from 1am-5am for nightly cleanings

By Dana Schulz

After Governor Cuomo asked the MTA to step up its subway disinfecting schedule from every 72 to 24 hours, the agency came back with what it's calling the "Essential Connector Program." This initiative will stop service from 1:00am to 5:00am every night during the pandemic, starting Wednesday, May 6. New York City is one of the few cities in the entire world (and the only one in the U.S.) that has a public transit system that runs 24/7, but the governor has said that it is the city and state's responsibility to disinfect more frequently in order to keep our essential workers safe and ensure that they feel comfortable riding the subway.
READ MORE

NYC to open up to 100 miles of streets for pedestrians

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT/ Flickr

April 27, 2020

NYC to open up to 100 miles of streets for pedestrians

By Devin Gannon

The city will open 40 miles of streets for pedestrians over the next month with the goal of opening up to 100 miles for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. During a press briefing, the mayor said an agreement had been reached with the City Council, which had introduced "open streets" legislation last week and planned to move forward with or without City Hall approval. The plan also includes adding temporary protected bike lanes and expanding some sidewalks.
More here

The L train ‘slowdown’ is over! Regular subway service resumes today

Photo: Trent Reeves/MTA Construction & Development, via Flickr cc. L Project Tunnel Rehabilitation Work, taken on March 16, 2019.

April 27, 2020

The L train ‘slowdown’ is over! Regular subway service resumes today

By Dana Schulz

"Ahead of schedule" and "under budget" are not phrases commonly associated with the MTA, but the agency pulled it out when it came to the L train tunnel project. Originally planned as a major shutdown by the city, the project was downgraded to a partial "slowdown" in January 2019 after Governor Cuomo convened his own panel of engineers. And after work began last April, causing only reduced service on nights and weekends, the governor announced yesterday that L train service will resume on both tracks during overnights and weekends starting today. He also said that the project finished three months ahead of schedule and $100 million under budget.
Take a virtual first ride!

Transit

Trains, buses, and ferries will #SoundTheHorn today at 3pm to honor transit workers

Image courtesy of the MTA

April 16, 2020

Trains, buses, and ferries will #SoundTheHorn today at 3pm to honor transit workers

By Dana Schulz

Image courtesy of the MTA The MTA is joining Amtrak, NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NYC Ferry, and other regional transit agencies to take part in the #soundthehorn campaign. Today at 3pm, all in-service trains, buses, and ferries will give two horn blasts to honor transportation workers across the region. "Our employees are heroes," said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye. "They are courageously coming to work each day to perform their essential duties, which are critically important to this region during the pandemic."
READ MORE

After just 10 days, de Blasio ends open street program

Photo of 2019 Summer Streets, courtesy of NYC DOT/Flickr

April 6, 2020

After just 10 days, de Blasio ends open street program

By Dana Schulz

Pointing to an overuse of NYPD personnel as the main reason, Mayor de Blasio said in his press conference on Sunday that he would not be extending the Safe Streets pilot that he launched 10 days ago. The program closed one six-block stretch of road to vehicles in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx in order to provide more open space for pedestrians. But despite continued overcrowding in parks, the Mayor has decided the resources used to keep the streets open are better allocated elsewhere.
READ MORE

April 2, 2020

Deal reached to redevelop MTA’s former Midtown East headquarters, making way for new tower

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York City reached an agreement to redevelop the agency's former headquarters in Midtown as part of a revenue-generating plan, officials announced on Thursday. The redevelopment of the site at 341-347 Madison Avenue is expected to create more than $1 billion for the cash-strapped agency's capital program. The deal, delayed due to a prior dispute between city and state officials, comes nearly a decade after the MTA first announced plans to sell or lease its three-building complex.
Get the details

De Blasio’s open street pilot gets extended through Sunday

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT/Flickr

March 31, 2020

De Blasio’s open street pilot gets extended through Sunday

By Dana Schulz

After receiving pressure from both Governor Cuomo and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to close some streets to vehicular traffic in an effort to give New Yorkers more outdoor space to exercise, Mayor de Blasio finally launched a Safe Streets pilot from Friday, March 27, to Monday, March 30 that included a roughly six-block stretch in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, totaling 1.6 miles of the city's 6,000 miles of roads. Today, the Mayor's office announced that they'll be extending the pilot program through Sunday, April 5th with the same hours of 10am-7pm.
See the full list

MTA cuts subway service by 25 percent in response to coronavirus

Photo by Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

March 25, 2020

MTA cuts subway service by 25 percent in response to coronavirus

By Devin Gannon

In response to a "never-before-seen ridership low" during the coronavirus outbreak, three subway lines will not run during the week and some express trains will run local, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Tuesday. The reduced schedule is part of the agency's "NY Essential Service Plan" to provide service to first responders and essential workers as it deals with the devastating financial consequences of a nearly 90 percent drop in ridership across subway and buses, the Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North.
More details here

Transit

Pitch a Story

Interested in seeing the property in person?

Interested in seeing the property in person?

Distinctive Post Form

Get in Touch

Send us a Tip

Interesting in learning more about purchasing a new home?

Thinking about selling your home?

Sell a Home (Footer)

Before You Move On from this Page.

Your Daily Doseof NYC Life!

Before You Move On
from this Page.

Your Daily Dose
of NYC Life!