MTA Transportation Reinvention Commission

Dague, J. (2015). Sisyphus and subway stations.  Citizen’s Budgets Commission; New York 

This article points out the efforts by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to bring 467 subway stations in New York to a state of good repair (SRG). The study looks at the efforts made by the MTA since 1980 to 2013 and the general condition of the aforesaid substations during that period. It was observed that albeit every effort was made to repair the substations, their continued use would make them fall into disrepair even before the repairs were completed. This is the premise of the title of the Article which refers to Sisyphus who was condemned to continually push a stone up a hill, then the gods would push it back down. This article is a good resource for analyzing the state of the transport system for over three decades. 

Kwon, Y.-I., Kyun-Kim, C., Kim, T., Hagen, J., Barone, R., & Joaquin, D. (2015). Improving the customer experience. Transit Leadership Summit 

This article is the culmination of a research on the customer experiences while using train station in Honk Kong, Montreal, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Vienna, and Washington. Trains have always been relied upon for efficiency and are therefore mainly adjudged through that criterion. However, in this article the authors focus on customer experience and state of amenities in train and bus stations. Among the issues analyzed are lighting, comfort and availability and ease of getting information. The study found the stations’ designs and available amenities vary, but are generally deficient thus offered ways for universal improvement. These improvements are adjudged as crucial specifically for rail transport to compete effectively with other land transport. 

LaHood, R., & Garvey, J. (2014). A bold direction for leading transportation in the next 100 years. MTA transportation reinvention commission Report. 

This article proposes, outlines, and defends a long-term solution to the problems indicated in Dague (2015). It has four main components. The first defines the subways and kindred infrastructure that falls under the jurisdiction of the MTA. The second outlines the benefits of the subway system to the economy of New York and its contribution to the city and the region since its commission in 1904 while the third outlines the challenges facing the subway and the needs for expansion and the necessary improvements. The final component outlines the way these works are to be accomplished through short term, medium term, and long term projects. The main focus of this article is to push for support and funding for the aforesaid projects. 

Metro Magazine. (2016). N.Y. MTA approves $206M signaling contract for queens Blvd line. Metro Magazine. Retrieved, from http://www.metro-magazine.com/rail/news/294855/n-y-mta-approves-206m-signaling-contract-for-queens-blvd-line 

This is an article published in the Metro Magazine, which is a publication associated to the MTA. The article regards the implementation of the short term projects as indicated in LaHood & Garvey, (2014) above. Further, the article also gives a projection of the other short term projects with regard to scope, financing expectations and implementing contractors. The article features a project that entails the installation of a Communications-based Train Control by Siemens Industry Inc. and Thales Transport & Security at the cost of US$205.8. The article confirms the due approval of the contract by the MTA board signaling the countdown to its implementation. Finally, the article seeks to elucidate on the possible benefits of the envisaged project. 

MTA (2014). MTA Capital Program 2015-2019. Renew, enhance, and expand. Capital Program 

This article contains a particularized outline of the short term MTA projects indicated in LaHood & Garvey, (2014) above. The particulars are extremely elaborate and include diagrams, graphs and charts, which explain the current situation in the areas where the projects are proposed, the actual projects themselves, the costs thereof, finished products and the benefits to be derived therefrom. This is a massive project whose interim budget is US$32,048 million dollars. US$17,122 million will be allocated for the construction of a new subway system and makes the bulk of the proposed project. Among the other issues sought to be improved is the information technology based systems include those relating to customer experience as advised in Kwon et al, (2015) above. 

MTA. (2016). Transportation network. Retrieved from http://web.mta.info/mta/network.htm#statsmnr 

This is a website managed by the MTA that shows the current status of the New York subways system, even as it juxtaposes it with the national railway network. Among the particulars indicated is the anticipated 2016 operating budget which stands at US$15.1 billion. The system has an annual ridership of 2,725,643,461 who ride through 357 lines and routes using a total of 14,971 locomotive devices and 736 stations. This entire operation involves 68,824 employees. Among other particulars include the aspects on the short term programs outlined in MTA (2014) set to be accomplished in 2016 complete with particularization. 

NY Governor’s Office. (2016). Governor Cuomo unveils design of Reimagined MTA subway cars and details ambitious plan to enhance subway stations . Retrieved from https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-unveils-design-reimagined-mta-subway-cars-and-details-ambitious-plan-enhance 

This is an article on the official website of New York’s Governor Andrew M. Cuomo which reports on the launching of the projects indicated in MTA (2014). The webpage has multimedia content, which includes typed words available in 7 languages, as well as video, audio and photographs taken during the launching event. As expected from any articles from a politically affiliated office, the article is heavy with praise of the innovative technological advancements presented by the project. Great focus has also been placed on envisaged customer satisfaction that will ensue therefrom. 

Pulos, W. (2016, July 18). Check out the high-tech upgrades coming to the redesigned NYC subway system . Time Out magazine . Retrieved from https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/check-out-the-high-tech-upgrades-coming-to-the-redesigned-nyc-subway-system-071816 

This is an evaluative journalistic piece prepared by Will Pulos, the content editor for the Time Out magazine and a commentator on current affairs in the city of New York. While heavily citing the New York Mayor’s office, the article outlines the great innovative improvements that the current and anticipated works are set to visit upon the railways system. Among the particulars outlined include the information technology advancements to be placed in the new rail cars including Wi-FI, USB ports and digital displays. Further, the trains will be innovatively built so as to have open gangways for ease of passenger movements. This article is also dominated by pictures of the envisaged state of the art trains and cars.