AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterApr 22, 2021 at 7:03 pmThe MTA on Thursday abruptly halted a program to test new security cameras on subway cars — a day after the Daily News raised questions about the ties the company providing the technology has to a Chinese firm that specializes in facial recognition technology.Transit managers last week sent a memo to subway crews alerting them of new video cameras installed on a four-car G line train. The new tech is part of a years-long effort by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to improve security and put more eyes...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterApr 22, 2021 at 7:03 pmThe MTA on Thursday abruptly halted a program to test new security cameras on subway cars — a day after the Daily News raised questions about the ties the company providing the technology has to a Chinese firm that specializes in facial recognition technology.Transit managers last week sent a memo to subway crews alerting them of new video cameras installed on a four-car G line train. The new tech is part of a years-long effort by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to improve security and put more eyes...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterApr 20, 2021 at 7:00 pmMore than 4,000 people have dropped off the MTA’s payroll since the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City amid a retirement rush and a hiring freeze — and most of them worked on the city’s subway and bus networks, new agency data shows.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority employed 66,986 people in March, according to an agency report released this week.AdvertisementThat’s down 4,011 from the 70,997 who worked for the agency in March 2020 — and a drop of nearly 5,400 from the 72,383 employees the MTA reported in March 2019.All of it...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterApr 20, 2021 at 7:00 pmMore than 4,000 people have dropped off the MTA’s payroll since the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City amid a retirement rush and a hiring freeze — and most of them worked on the city’s subway and bus networks, new agency data shows.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority employed 66,986 people in March, according to an agency report released this week.AdvertisementThat’s down 4,011 from the 70,997 who worked for the agency in March 2020 — and a drop of nearly 5,400 from the 72,383 employees the MTA reported in March 2019.All of it...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 30, 2021 at 11:02 amAfter more than a year of delay by the now-departed Trump administration, New York City’s plan to toll motorists who drive south of 61st St. in Manhattan is finally moving ahead.The Federal Highway Administration on Tuesday told the Metropolitan Transportation Authority what type of environmental review the agency must complete before launching its congestion pricing program.AdvertisementThe feds said the MTA can submit an environmental assessment, a much speedier process than drafting an environmental impact statement, which would...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 30, 2021 at 11:02 amAfter more than a year of delay by the now-departed Trump administration, New York City’s plan to toll motorists who drive south of 61st St. in Manhattan is finally moving ahead.The Federal Highway Administration on Tuesday told the Metropolitan Transportation Authority what type of environmental review the agency must complete before launching its congestion pricing program.AdvertisementThe feds said the MTA can submit an environmental assessment, a much speedier process than drafting an environmental impact statement, which would...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 15, 2021 at 6:18 pmThe Legislature has not only torpedoed Gov. Cuomo’s plan to raid millions from New York’s mass transit systems — lawmakers now plan to give more funding to the cash-strapped MTA than it expected.The governor’s proposed budget released in January had targeted $160 million dedicated to subways, railroads and other aspects of the state’s public transportation network, including $145 million of tax revenues dedicated to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.AdvertisementThe bulk of the cash shuffle would’ve hit the Metropolitan Mass...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 15, 2021 at 6:18 pmThe Legislature has not only torpedoed Gov. Cuomo’s plan to raid millions from New York’s mass transit systems — lawmakers now plan to give more funding to the cash-strapped MTA than it expected.The governor’s proposed budget released in January had targeted $160 million dedicated to subways, railroads and other aspects of the state’s public transportation network, including $145 million of tax revenues dedicated to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.AdvertisementThe bulk of the cash shuffle would’ve hit the Metropolitan Mass...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 14, 2021 at 7:52 pmAn MTA honcho who spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada before collected one of the biggest executive salaries in the agency’s history, according to a report released Friday.Former Chief Operating Officer Mario Peloquin raked in $411,969 last year, more than any other agency employee, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority report showed.AdvertisementThe haul was $86,000 more than the $325,000 salary MTA officials said he would be paid when he was hired in November 2019. It’s also $50,000 more than MTA Chairman Patrick Foye...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 14, 2021 at 7:52 pmAn MTA honcho who spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada before collected one of the biggest executive salaries in the agency’s history, according to a report released Friday.Former Chief Operating Officer Mario Peloquin raked in $411,969 last year, more than any other agency employee, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority report showed.AdvertisementThe haul was $86,000 more than the $325,000 salary MTA officials said he would be paid when he was hired in November 2019. It’s also $50,000 more than MTA Chairman Patrick Foye...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 09, 2021 at 6:01 pmMayoral wannabe Andrew Yang wants the subway to be free for a week “to let everyone know New York is back” — a move he said will cost the cash-strapped MTA $35 million.Yang on Tuesday called for a “fare holiday” the week of Memorial Day.AdvertisementThe former presidential candidate likened the free rides to coupons used by struggling business owners to attract new customers. With subway ridership down 75% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yang said freebies were the best way to convince riders to return.“A lot of New Yorkers need to be...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 09, 2021 at 6:01 pmMayoral wannabe Andrew Yang wants the subway to be free for a week “to let everyone know New York is back” — a move he said will cost the cash-strapped MTA $35 million.Yang on Tuesday called for a “fare holiday” the week of Memorial Day.AdvertisementThe former presidential candidate likened the free rides to coupons used by struggling business owners to attract new customers. With subway ridership down 75% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yang said freebies were the best way to convince riders to return.“A lot of New Yorkers need to be...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 04, 2021 at 8:33 pmThe punishment for spitting on a transit worker should be more than a slap on the wrist, the city’s five district attorneys said Wednesday.The group of prosecutors held a rare joint press conference to support proposed legislation that would make spitting on subway, bus, paratransit and commuter railroad employees a misdemeanor under the state’s penal code.Advertisement“The way the law is written now is a violation,” said Bronx DA Darcel Clark. “Unless the police officer actually saw it, they can’t do anything. It’s just a summons. By...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 04, 2021 at 8:33 pmThe punishment for spitting on a transit worker should be more than a slap on the wrist, the city’s five district attorneys said Wednesday.The group of prosecutors held a rare joint press conference to support proposed legislation that would make spitting on subway, bus, paratransit and commuter railroad employees a misdemeanor under the state’s penal code.Advertisement“The way the law is written now is a violation,” said Bronx DA Darcel Clark. “Unless the police officer actually saw it, they can’t do anything. It’s just a summons. By...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 02, 2021 at 6:20 pmFederal approval of New York City’s congestion pricing program will move forward “aggressively” under the leadership of new Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Mayor de Blasio said Tuesday.Hizzoner said he spoke with Buttigieg last week about the scheme, which aims to pour billions into long-overdue transit upgrades at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by charging motorists a new toll when they drive south of 61st St. in Manhattan.AdvertisementThe tolls were scheduled go live in early 2021 after the Legislature authorized...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterMar 02, 2021 at 6:20 pmFederal approval of New York City’s congestion pricing program will move forward “aggressively” under the leadership of new Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Mayor de Blasio said Tuesday.Hizzoner said he spoke with Buttigieg last week about the scheme, which aims to pour billions into long-overdue transit upgrades at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by charging motorists a new toll when they drive south of 61st St. in Manhattan.AdvertisementThe tolls were scheduled go live in early 2021 after the Legislature authorized...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterFeb 18, 2021 at 5:25 pmMTA officials are trying to rescind a pay raise promised to a majority of its work force in a contract signed last year — a move that could prompt transit workers to “go ballistic,” according to a top union official.Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chief Financial Officer Bob Foran said Thursday a “permanent wage freeze” was in effect through 2024 as the agency faces a massive deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.AdvertisementThat freeze flies in the face of a contract the MTA inked in January 2020 with Transport Workers Union...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterFeb 18, 2021 at 5:25 pmMTA officials are trying to rescind a pay raise promised to a majority of its work force in a contract signed last year — a move that could prompt transit workers to “go ballistic,” according to a top union official.Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chief Financial Officer Bob Foran said Thursday a “permanent wage freeze” was in effect through 2024 as the agency faces a massive deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.AdvertisementThat freeze flies in the face of a contract the MTA inked in January 2020 with Transport Workers Union...WW…

AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterApr 21, 2021 at 12:19 pmThe city’s top subway cop on Wednesday accused MTA leaders of stoking fear that transit crime is out of control — and said that last week was one of the safest in the subway’s history.NYPD Transit Bureau chief Kathleen O’Reilly took issue with a recent published by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that found 36% of straphangers were not riding the subway out of fear of “crime and harassment.” She also pushed back on calls from transit officials for a surge of cops into the subway.Advertisement“It’s a disservice to New Yorkers...…AdvertisementBy Transit ReporterApr 21, 2021 at 12:19 pmThe city’s top subway cop on Wednesday accused MTA leaders of stoking fear that transit crime is out of control — and said that last week was one of the safest in the subway’s history.NYPD Transit Bureau chief Kathleen O’Reilly took issue with a recent published by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that found 36% of straphangers were not riding the subway out of fear of “crime and harassment.” She also pushed back on calls from transit officials for a surge of cops into the subway.Advertisement“It’s a disservice to New Yorkers...WW…