Tag: MTA

3 Bronx Subway Stations To Get Elevator Access In Proposed MTA Capital Program

For decades, residents have been demanding that the MTA restore elevator service that was once available at 149th Street and Grand Concourse on the 2, 4,and 5 subway lines—the borough’s 4th busiest with 4,536,888 riders in 2014 which saw a 2.5% increase from the prior year.

Now, in the MTA’s proposed 2015-2019 Capital Program, 149th Street and Grand Concourse, along with Bedford Park Boulevard and Grand Concourse on the B and D line, and Gun Hill Road on the 5 Dyre Avenue line, stand a chance at finally getting elevator access at these critical locations in our borough—if approved.

Bronx BP Proposes Development Over Several Rail Yards

About 3 years ago, Welcome2TheBronx wrote about the possibility of having the Metro North rail yards in Melrose at 149th Street decked over much like the Hudson Rail Yards and have it developed into office space and affordable housing. Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr made a similar proposal along with two other Bronx locations stating that since Queens didn’t want it to happen at the Sunnyside yards, The Bronx would be happy to take those monies.

The other 2 locations identified are the 4 train rail yards by Lehman College in Bedford Park just west of the Grand Concourse and the 1 train rail yards just west of Broadway between Riverdale and Kingsbridge.

The Bronx is Buggin’ — Study Shows Borough Has Most Diverse Microbes In NYC’s Subway System

As most native New Yorkers, we tend to often not think about all the germs, microbes, and fauna that coats the subways and bus system we ride daily and depend on. We’re in such denial about them that it’s like breathing — we don’t think about it.

A new study from conducted Weill Cornell Medical College now reveals, that after 18 months of swabbing and collecting samples at every single subway station in New York City (except 2 in Brooklyn which were closed), The Bronx has the most diverse microbes in the entire system. But no need for alarm since most are not considered a danger with only 12% in that category but even then, researchers claimed there wasn’t enough of them for concern.

UPDATE: NYC Subway & Buses Shutting Down at 11PM TONIGHT; Coastal Flood Warning For Bronx

The MTA finds itself, once again, shutting down its entire network again as winter storm Juno bears down on the Northeast. Make sure you get home before then or find yourself in a secure location if you’re not able to make it home in time.

Beginning at 11PM, ALL MTA SUBWAY LINES AND BUSES WILL BE SHUT DOWN as well as commuter rail lines, on Metro North and the LIRR.

Can Streetcars Make A Comeback In The Bronx & NYC?

A couple of months ago we sat down with Bob Diamond, Chairman of the Brooklyn Historical Railway Association, along with several members of BHRA and Bronxite Richard Garey of the West Bronx. For some time now, Richard and I had been discussing the poor transit options in the West Bronx and the vacuum left behind when the Third Avenue El was ripped, leaving a hole in Morrisania straight up to Fordham forcing millions to make do with buses and transfers leading to longer commutes.

Can Streetcars Make A Comeback In The Bronx & NYC?

A couple of months ago we sat down with Bob Diamond, Chairman of the Brooklyn Historical Railway Association, along with several members of BHRA and Bronxite Richard Garey of the West Bronx. For some time now, Richard and I had been discussing the poor transit options in the West Bronx and the vacuum left behind when the Third Avenue El was ripped, leaving a hole in Morrisania straight up to Fordham forcing millions to make do with buses and transfers leading to longer commutes.

MTA operator led millions, including son, in safe commutes – NY Daily News

Recently, I nominated my father for a Daily News Hometown Hero Award and the paper decided to write a story on him and he is now a candidate for the award.

Here’s an excerpt of the story and make sure to click the link at the end to watch the video. A big thanks to the Daily News for thinking my dad’s story was worthy of a nomination.

East Bronx Metro North Access Will Not Benefit All Residents If Fares Are Not Modified; Same With Proposed Ferry Service

There has been much talk that finally the East Bronx is on track to getting 4 new Metro North Stations (making for a total of 17 stations in The Bronx) bringing direct access into Manhattan as well as towards employment centers up north in Westchester County and Connecticut. While this is all great news for the county with the highest rate of reverse commuters in the nation, it does nothing for the majority who still work in Manhattan and will have to pay the current peak fare.

2014 Run of Pregones Theater Puerto Rican Traveling Theater Dedicated to New York’s Labor Force

This Friday, October 3rd at 8PM, join my father, Israel Garcia and myself as we host the kick off tribute to New York’s labor force as part of Pregones Theater Puerto Rican Traveling Theater’s 2014 run of ‘EL APAGON’! We are very humbled to have been selected by this important cultural organization for this event. Tickets can be purchased by using the link below. If you can’t make it to see us on Friday, October 3rd, please do make sure you get to the play at any of the other dates!

Don’t Blame Drivers for a New York City Policy Failure

The following is a guest post by John Rozankowski, PhD

For decades, New York City public policy has encouraged large commercial and residential developments without asking the obvious questions: How will the large numbers of people, which these projects attract, get around? Mass transit was rarely discussed. As a result car dependency has grown dramatically with more traffic gridlock, pollution and fatalities the inevitable result.

As public policy became increasingly environmentally conscious, a punitive attitude against drivers has grown: reduction of traffic lanes, the lowering of speed limits, street bumps, cameras, proposals such as congestion pricing and bridge tolls to make driving more expensive, etc. While the intent of these measures is generally good, they do suggest that driving is somehow “evil” and make drivers the scapegoats.