Samantha Liebman

One of the last cases challenging #congestionpricing was dismissed today. Only the NJ case remains and at this point could be decided in the @mta.info favor since it hinged on mitigation measures which the #mta is starting to deploy. #transit #traffic #train

@mta chair says they’ve sent a letter threatening legal action to @usdot saying they’ll have to take legal action if they don’t receive $60m in reimbursements for Second Ave Subway Phase 2 by next week. Gateway finally got its funding after taking Feds to court. #trains #subway

Third model of modern #faregates debuts at 23rd St-Baruch College Wed morning. They’re from STraffic, a Korean company that has them in San Francisco’s BART. Part of #MTA pilot. #subway #train #nyc

Looks like NYC DOT motion to dismiss was granted in the Court Street bike lane case. This comes as the DOT restarts the process for the 31st Street bike lane in Astoria and filed a notice of appeal in that case. #transit #bike #cycling #nyc #traffic

It’s been one year since congestion pricing went into effect in New York City. Samantha Liebman looks at the numbers to find out if it’s working.

Could these new gate designs help stop fare evasion? @samanthaliebman.bsky.social takes a closer look at one of the gates the MTA is testing.

#breaking #news Judge Liman ordered another round of oral arguments in MTA v. Duffy even after the two sides provided written arguments. Maybe he just wants to see US Attorney squirm—because that’s what happened last time DOJ was in that courtroom. #transit #congestionpricing

We got an exclusive look at them installed. youtu.be/ie8mNSCJFbk?...

Looks like DOT plans for a bike lane on 31st Street in Astoria are dead. At least for now. Could signal what’s to come for Court St since arguments are almost identical. But you also have an elevated train on 31st which makes it different as well. #cycling #bike #transit

Congestion pricing apparently reducing vehicle entries more than expected: revenue is 1.6% less than forecast as of Sept. Gross: $507.4 mil, expenses less than projected at $96.4 million. Net: $411 mil which has the @MTA on track to raise the $500 mil expected. #Traffic

Summit in NJ? I don’t really cover NJ Transit so I don’t really know. You should ask Larry Higgs from NJ.com on X (I don’t think he’s here).

Advocates believe new mayor has chance to improve Fair Fares program Mayor Adams raised the income eligibility threshold three times.

Fair Fares is a program that has yet to reach its full potential, and expansion should be at the top of the new mayor's priority list. Great speaking with @samanthaliebman.bsky.social about the many opportunities to expand the program. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Here’s the threatening letter:

Any #mta #bus riders who have been confronted by EAGLE team before the charge for the bus shows up in your Apple wallet? Were you issued a summons? DM or email me (in bio). #transit #buses #trains #OMNY #metrocard

Subway spikes definitely higher at a few stations now—confirmed by @mta.info But will the increase make a difference? First and second picture higher ones, last is the older, lower height. #transit #subway #mta

They obviously are meeting the codes—part of the delay in opening.

Well, Tracks is using electric not gas and the menu looks great. So I’m sure others can do the same, esp if it’s just a place to get coffee and a baked good. Even pizza would succeed like See No Evil at the 50th St station. Uses electric pizza ovens and it’s excellent.

I think if there were more food and beverage people wouldn’t just traverse. And plenty of people saw tracks and stopped in.

I haven’t been in Grand Central Madison at rush hour until today and IMO it’s wild that retailers haven’t opened here yet. It’s bustling. Per @mta.info 70k commuters each weekday. And Tracks is now open and it’s already busy. MTA is negotiating 5 leases currently.

Mayor Adams trying to regulate delivery apps without help from City Council The Department of Sustainable Delivery will regulate apps, but still no law helps it penalize companies for pressuring workers to deliver quickly.

Important to hear from the people at the center of political debate. @nycmayor and council seem at odds over delivery app worker protections. Mayor vetoing some, championing others and vice versa. But it all affects actual people. Full story here: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

The stupidity of this: the MTA is increasing base fare by a shade under 3.5% for the first time since 2023. That's a compounded rate of 1.7%/year.

The Rent Guidelines Board *that Adams controls* jacked tenants' rents by 6.3% in that time period. That's a compounded rate of 3.1%/year.

2 things wrong here with statement. He forgot he just raised Fair Fares eligibility to 150% of the FPL (council & advocates wanted 200% bc people commuting to a minimum wage job can’t qualify at this level). Fares 26% of the @mta.info operating budget, congestion pricing for capital plan.

Oh by the way, amid all the mayoral campaign transit proposals, two more congestion pricing lawsuits against the @mta.info were dismissed. #traffic #transit #congestionpricing

Cuomo's proposal for city control of subways may diminish funding and service NY1's Samantha Liebman has more.

On Cuomo’s transit proposal @nicolegelinas.bsky.social says “I think this is just a symptom of the former governor really wanting to get some attention against @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social… and sort of trying to put out lots and lots of ideas and just trying to see what sticks.” tinyurl.com/db5schdu

@mta.info chair Janno Lieber on Cuomo proposal for city to take over NYCT to @errollouis.bsky.social on @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social: This is not the time to be dismantling the MTA… this is not the time to talk about going backwards.

SpaceBlog gonna have a field day with this one

#Breaking: Judge rules NYC DOT @mayor.nyc.gov can modify Bedford Ave Bike lane from Willoughby to Flushing saying city did not act arbitrarily or capriciously nor did it have to give notice under statute. @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social #bike #transit #traffic #cycling @transalt.org

The expansion of fair fares eligibility by 5% is so small no #s available on how many more NYers would qualify, but what’s known is the current uptake is 27% according to @pcac.org and advocates say @mta.info does most of the outreach. Maybe investment in outreach also needed.

I’ll post here too.

#Breaking: According to @mta.info fare increase may be tied to full implementation of OMNY. Not confusing people with too many things all at once and possibly figuring out more discounts for the new payment system. That means could come next year and not this year.
@spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social