While the U.S. economy is slumping, most experts feel that more infrastructure investment could get the fiscal ball rolling again. The nation’s rail system needs work; it’s roads are in terrible shape. A New Deal-type infrastructure plan would spur on the economy while providing cities and states with some badly-needed improvement. On the surface, it [...]

In July, the MTA raised its fare-jumping fine from $60 to $100. This week, Transport for London has followed suit. The fines in London will jump from £20 ($34) to £50 ($85). Fare-jumpers who pay their fines within three weeks will have to pony up only £25. TFL hopes this new fine will help cut [...]

Despite some last-minute dire predictions, the MTA managed to see its bond offering last week. While MTA officials warned that the bonds might not sell in a down market, the authority raised $550 million through bond sales. On the flip side, the agency will face higher-than-expected interest rates as they repay the bonds. You win [...]

The MTA and the TWU are at odds over pay increases for the city’s transit workers. This is the first snag in the negotiations in advance of the TWU’s contract expiring in January. Both sides are hoping to avoid another transit strike.

The MTA’s timing on this one is impeccable. The transit agency has recently issued a $500,000,000 fare-backed bond aimed at providing much-needed money. But, as The Times notes, a bad economy is a tough time to be issuing bonds. With banks on the decline, few large institutions are soaking up the bonds, and the Authority [...]

Just a quick note about ways you can follow Second Ave. Sagas. I’m now posting subway-related updates on Twitter. These posts will be more than just links to blogs and will focus around things I see underground or other sundry topics relating to transit. And as always, you should become a fan of SAS on [...]

Lost City spotted some new R160s on the F line yesterday and eagerly anticipates the new cars’ arrivals on the oft-neglected line. While these are just tests for now — I remember seeing these on the A about 18 months ago — this development is right in line with the MTA’s plans to eventually implement CBTC [...]

Based on reports from the Transport Workers Union Local 100, the MTA and the TWU should avoid a repeat of the 2005 transit strike. Pete Donohue relied the information late last week that the two sides are already talking, and the TWU board has authorized an early settlement. This is good news. The last thing [...]

According to the Downtown Express, the MTA will open the South Ferry station this December just prior to Christmas. While the neighborhood weekly reports this as, more or less, an on time opening, in reality, this project was originally set for an early 2008 completion date. No matter the final deadline, this new two-track, full-train [...]

The MTA’s painting efforts haven’t gotten much positive press over the last few years. First, the agency couldn’t figure out how to spend $50 million on painting their decaying stations. Then, they announced that the paintings would proceed at a pace that would take 39 years to cover every station. Now that the high-priced paint [...]