New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently placed the $15 billion in congestion pricing on pause that would have gone toward completing the funding package for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) $51 billion 2020 - 2024 Five Year Capital Plan. Now is a good time to revisit the 160-page MTA 2025 - 2044 Twenty Year Capital Needs Assessment Plan released in October 2023 that documented future capital needs.
The number one priority for the MTA should always be to reach and maintain a state of good repair. This includes each MTA operating agency, including New York City (NYC) Transit subway and bus, Staten Island Railway, Manhattan Bronx Surface Operating bus, MTA bus (the former seven NYC private franchised operators absorbed in 2005/2006), Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Rail Road.
Categories for each agency include such assets as existing bus, subway and commuter rail fleet, stations and elevators to meet Americans with Disabilities Act, escalators, track including switches, signals and interlockings, communications, line structures, including painting, protective netting on elevated structures and bridges, line equipment, including tunnel lighting, pump rooms and emergency exits, traction power, power substations, maintenance shops, yards, employee facilities and supervisory vehicles than fund any system expansion projects.
Funding for $7.7 billion Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 and $5.5 billion Brooklyn/Queens Light Rail Connector would be better spent on first reaching a state of good repair, bringing most NYC subway stations into compliance with the ADA and having more open clean safe bathrooms longer hours for all MTA operating agencies. The same holds true for placing Metro-North Railroad's $3.1 billion Bronx East Penn Station Access project on hold.
Forget about any consideration for the $7.5 billion Second Avenue Subway Phase 3 125th Street Crosstown Extension, as well. Any independent survey of riders would tell you an overwhelming majority of 5-million-plus pre-COVID 19 customers would prefer on time, safe, reliable services at a fair price before system expansion.
