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  • Here Are the MTA Projects That May Be Scrapped Without Billions in Federal Bailout

  • Discussion of the past and present operations of the Long Island Rail Road.
Discussion of the past and present operations of the Long Island Rail Road.

Moderator: Liquidcamphor

 #1547906  by MNCRR9000
 
Looks like if the MTA does not receive federal bailout money several MTA LIRR projects may be scrapped.

- Modernizing and upgrading signals on LIRR from Babylon to Patchogue, replacing two LIRR bridges, and a new LIRR station at Elmont.

Does look like no potential cuts to the Grand Central East Side Access project.
As the coronavirus pandemic rages on throughout the U.S., the four months of disruption can be felt by all sorts of businesses and agencies — one of which is a lifeline for millions of commuters in and around New York City.

The MTA said it can't afford to wait much longer for a federal bailout. The area's mass transit system is set to run out of emergency funding in August, and still faces a $9 billion deficit. MTA Chairman Pat Foye said that "without action by the senate, we don't have a path forward without devastating cuts."

With cash promised by congestion pricing postponed indefinitely, the agency is seemingly in dire straits when it comes to revenue. Officials said there are several projects, totaling around $13.5 billion, aimed at improving or maintaining the transit system that have been on the books for months, but may end up getting scrapped due to the lack of funds.
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/tran ... oQCzUDusms
 #1548098  by MNCRR9000
 
http://www.amodernli.com/local-official ... -gears-up/

"The MTA and LIRR recently briefed local officials from the Town of Hempstead, Village of Floral Park and the Floral Park-Bellerose School District and Board of Education on the Elmont station project.
MTA Construction & Development’s Deputy Project Executive Tom McGuinness and SVP of Community Relations for Empire State Development Marion Phillips, III described how the project will unfold over the next 30 months and how to provide feedback during construction. Staging of equipment and materials has begun in an empty lot on Superior Road and work on footings and removal of soil has commenced on the south side of the LIRR Right-of-Way (ROW)."

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 #1548354  by Pensyfan19
 
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the axing is being seriously considered and is starting to be carried out. :( :( :(

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2 ... ge-deficit
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will announce the first cuts to address a massive budget deficit created by the COVID-19 pandemic, with more drastic cuts, including service reductions, to come. The New York Times reports moves under review include service reductions, job cuts, postponement of infrastructure projects, and toll increases at the bridges and tunnels run by the agency. Facing deficits now projected at $16.2 billion through 2024, MTA chairman Patrick J. Foye said the size of the shortfall is “why these unpalatable, unacceptable alternatives have to be considered. … We’re going to have to make hard choices no matter what happens here.” Officials say that additional emergency federal assistance currently under consideration in Congress could help prevent some of the cuts, but even with more aid, there will still be a deficit. On Wednesday, the MTA board is expected to review cuts that will save $1 billion in 2021 with moves including elimination of consulting contracts and reduction of overtime, but that will only be the beginning of the process.
 #1548379  by Head-end View
 
Well, with less passengers riding the trains, I can live with service cuts in the form of fewer or shorter trains. But they sure as hell should not raise the already exorbitant tolls at the bridges and tunnels no matter how big the deficit is. And they damned well better finish ESA and the Third-track Project!
 #1548386  by R36 Combine Coach
 
Head-end View wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:34 pm But they sure as hell should not raise the already exorbitant tolls at the bridges and tunnels no
how big the deficit is. And they damned well better finish ESA and the Third-track Project!
They could (and should) eliminate off-peak fares (or make them round trip only, as on MNCR West-of-Hudson).
 #1548469  by Head-end View
 
R36 Combine Coach wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:40 pm
Head-end View wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:34 pm But they sure as hell should not raise the already exorbitant tolls at the bridges and tunnels no
how big the deficit is. And they damned well better finish ESA and the Third-track Project!
They could (and should) eliminate off-peak fares (or make them round trip only, as on MNCR West-of-Hudson).
No they shouldn't! LIRR should run fewer/shorter trains before raising fares. That would be the least offensive way for them to save money.
 #1548509  by Pensyfan19
 
Quick update for today.

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2 ... ficit-woes
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is losing $200 million a week, will run out of federal coronavirus relief funds this month, and says service cuts, layoffs, and increased bridge and tunnel tolls are all possibilities in an effort to balance its budget. Newsday reports that MTA chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye said every option “is not optimal, unacceptable, unpalatable. But given the fiscal tsunami that we face, we’ve got an obligation to consider all of those things.” At Wednesday’s MTA board meeting, the agency’s chief financial officer, Robert Foran, said the agency is projecting a deficit reaching $16.2 billion by 2024, in part because estimates now are that ridership won’t resume normal levels until 2023. An MTA press release reports the agency has identified $1 billion in savings in 2021 and $5.13 billion through 2024 to be achieved with reductions in overtime, outside contracts, and other non-labor expenses, and an aggressive effort to find in-house savings is ongoing. The MTA is seeking some $3.9 billion in emergency federal aid; if it arrives, the agency might avoid some of the most extreme cost-cutting measures.
 #1549369  by MattAmity90
 
One thing though is guaranteed despite a tight budget. A few weeks ago in a lawsuit, the judge ruled that the MTA LIRR has to install elevators at Lindenhurst, Copiague, and Amityville. It is guaranteed because they MUST be installed by July 2023. I'm not sure about Massapequa Park since half a mile to the West of there Massapequa has an elevator. All of this came in the wake of Floral Park, Nostrand Avenue, and Murray Hill finally adhering to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Similar deals are trying to be settled for ADA accessibility for Mets-Willets Point, Hunterspoint Avenue, St. Albans, Kew Gardens, and Forest Hills.
 #1549452  by eolesen
 
Maybe MTA should do what everyone else is forced to do: reduce service to meet demand, and lay off excess workers.

Blaming the Feds for MTA's decades of mismanagement might work for some people, but not all of us.
 #1549503  by MattAmity90
 
Well, if non-essential workers aren't allowed to go to work then it would make common sense to cut a few trains for flexibility (on branches that don't see a high volume of traffic). Exceptions would be service on the Babylon, Ronkonkoma, Huntington/Port Jefferson, Port Washington from Great Neck Westward, and the Montauk from Patchogue Westward.

Most likely when these stations eventually get elevators they will have to rehabilitate the platforms, but luckily not in the same manor as Massapequa, Seaford, Wantagh, and Hicksville. It would be in the same process as Lynbrook.
 #1549514  by freightguy
 
In reference to the handicap elevators at stations, I believe Metro North just paid the fines levied each day from ADA or whatever municipality. I’m sure it was the same at the LIRR.

Interesting times lie ahead, but I feel it’s important to finish the mainline third track and East Side Access have it ready to go down the road.