The Future Of Mass Transit In NYC
Today’s issue of AMNY has an interesting look into 6 major transit projects that will change the life of millions of straphangers. The 6 projects are ranked as followed:
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South Ferry Terminal
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Fulton Street Transit Center
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East Side Access
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7 Line Extension
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First phase of the Second Avenue Subway
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Moynihan Station
Here is the opening paragraph of the 2 page article:
Straphangers are hopping on the T train at Second Avenue, Long Islanders are ending their commute at Grand Central Terminal and the majestic James A. Farley Post Office is a major transit hub.
These scenarios are expected one day to be a part of New York’s transportation network. Some projects are taking shape while others have yet to break ground, yet all are set to serve a growing population set to boom by 1 million in the next 20 years, by the mayor’s estimates.
“This is probably the greatest spate of transportation projects since the 1920s when we’re talking mass transit,” said Clifton Hood, professor of history at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and transportation author.
At the 75th anniversary of the A train this week, MTA chief executive Elliot Sander noted that as famed line served booming north Manhattan communities in the 1930s, its reach serves three boroughs today. He also nodded to the five major projects’ on track now.
“The investments we are making in the system today will pay dividends not only to us but to future generations of New Yorkers,” he said.
For the entire article, click here.
If I had to rank the projects in terms of what I feel is most needed to least needed, here is how I would do it:
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Second Avenue Subway
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South Ferry Terminal
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Fulton Street Transit Center
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Moynihan Station
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East Side Access
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7 Train Extension
To be perfectly honest, I would be just fine if only the first 3 projects were done. I have the Fulton Street Transit Center & South Ferry Terminal being tied for the second most important project. I am not a fan of East Side Access or the 7 train extension.
I feel the East Side Access only benefits Long Island commuters & that kind of money could be spent better elsewhere. Long Island commuters do not make up the majority of straphangers so why should so much money be spent on them? One project I would support is the installation of more tracks on the mainline to improve Long Island Railroad service. I would also support the electrification of some diesel only LIRR trackage.
The 7 line extension is a complete waste. The 7 has issues with crowding as it is & you want to add stops to the line? Yeah ok, that sounds like a great idea! Instead of wasting money on this project, how about creating subway service in many areas of Queens where it is severely lacking! Unfortunately I doubt I will ever see many if any of these common sense projects created or completed in my lifetime.
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