New York MTA announces transportation service improvements

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is adding and extending service on almost 40 subway and commuter-rail lines, and bus routes.

The service investments come at a time when MTA ridership is steadily increasing, with subway ridership reaching levels not seen since the 1950s and commuter-train ridership approaching all-time records, MTA officials said in a prepared statement.

With ridership growth pronounced outside of traditional rush hours, service will be increased during night, weekend and off-peak weekday periods.

“As the New York metropolitan region grows, the MTA’s 8.5 million riders increasingly rely on transit not just for commuting, but for getting around at all times for all reasons,” said MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Lhota.

The improvements will be phased in over several months, and will cost an additional $29 million annually when completely implemented. They will be funded with increased revenue from increasing ridership on the MTA system, as well as savings from MTA’s cost-containment efforts, officials said.

The service investments will be formally presented to the MTA Board during its regular monthly meeting this week. They also will be included in the MTA’s 2013 budget and four-year financial plan.

MTA Metro-North Railroad will add service on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines to reduce crowding and better serve growing off-peak and weekend ridership with increased half-hourly frequency, officials said. West of the Hudson, a new round-trip peak train will be added on the Pascack Line.

As Progressive Railroading.com reported last week, MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will provide increased service, as well. To read that story, click here.