Madison - ProgWML6
@progwml6.bsky.social
Transit Reports & Analysis @etany.org , Devops and Information Security Manager, Minecraft mod developer, Pronouns: She/Her
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
Really absurd. The largest cost in running a subway trains is labor. One-person-train-operation (OPTO) would lead to drastic service improvements by cutting in half the $$$ needed to run a train.
BTW almost every other system in the world already uses OPTO.
www.crainsnewyork.com/transportati...
BTW almost every other system in the world already uses OPTO.
www.crainsnewyork.com/transportati...
MTA union quietly turned to Albany in push for 2 staffers on every train
State lawmakers quietly passed a bill in June that would block the MTA from running trains with just drivers.
www.crainsnewyork.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Really absurd. The largest cost in running a subway trains is labor. One-person-train-operation (OPTO) would lead to drastic service improvements by cutting in half the $$$ needed to run a train.
BTW almost every other system in the world already uses OPTO.
www.crainsnewyork.com/transportati...
BTW almost every other system in the world already uses OPTO.
www.crainsnewyork.com/transportati...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
A bill passed by the NYS Legislature banning One-Person Train Operation goes against best practices both across the country and world, and would leave New York’s transit system far behind its peers.
ETA asks Gov Hochul to not allow this regressive bill to become law.
www.etany.org/statements/i...
ETA asks Gov Hochul to not allow this regressive bill to become law.
www.etany.org/statements/i...
Impeding Progress, Costing Riders — Effective Transit Alliance New York
Bill Banning One Person Trains Would Lock NY Transit in the Past
www.etany.org
July 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A bill passed by the NYS Legislature banning One-Person Train Operation goes against best practices both across the country and world, and would leave New York’s transit system far behind its peers.
ETA asks Gov Hochul to not allow this regressive bill to become law.
www.etany.org/statements/i...
ETA asks Gov Hochul to not allow this regressive bill to become law.
www.etany.org/statements/i...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
The FTA's decision to send this back in 2023 remains absolutely perplexing and still, to this day, almost entirely unexplained.
"A critical study needed for extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to Englewood won’t start until mid-2026" 😬 www.nj.com/news/2025/06...
Officials, NJ Transit riders frustrated as Bergen light rail extension study delayed until 2026
Bergen county officials are upset that two years after a federal agency said more study was needed to extend a light rail line. that work hasn't been done by NJ Transit.
www.nj.com
June 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The FTA's decision to send this back in 2023 remains absolutely perplexing and still, to this day, almost entirely unexplained.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
A good idea =>
June 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A good idea =>
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
A really clever idea from @vanshnookenraggen.com -- www.vanshnookenraggen.com/_index/2025/...
IBX North: A Bridge to Harlem and LGA – vanshnookenraggen
www.vanshnookenraggen.com
June 16, 2025 at 11:07 PM
A really clever idea from @vanshnookenraggen.com -- www.vanshnookenraggen.com/_index/2025/...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
Andy Byford has been selected to take over the reconstruction of Penn Station. An expert of the first tier, he is well versed with through-running has spoken of its importance for Penn before.
Still, the project faces many challenges.
Read our statement:
www.etany.org/statements/c...
Still, the project faces many challenges.
Read our statement:
www.etany.org/statements/c...
Can Andy Byford Bring Through-Running to Penn Station? — Effective Transit Alliance New York
Andy Byford has been selected to take over the reconstruction of Penn Station. An expert of the first tier, he is well versed with through-running has spoken of its importance for Penn before. Still, ...
www.etany.org
May 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Andy Byford has been selected to take over the reconstruction of Penn Station. An expert of the first tier, he is well versed with through-running has spoken of its importance for Penn before.
Still, the project faces many challenges.
Read our statement:
www.etany.org/statements/c...
Still, the project faces many challenges.
Read our statement:
www.etany.org/statements/c...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
The New York State budget awarded QueensLink $100k in matching funds for its Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program grant! This codifies support for the study of QueensLink at the state level. Another big step towards #RailsandTrails on the Rockaway Beach Branch! 🚉🌳
May 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
"Thanks to some excellent data work by the engineering team that dug all the way down to analyzing the frequency of pings from a train’s onboard beacons as it enters the station, all screens in the system now show the same arrival times" -- www.adamfishercox.com/portfolio/mt...
Cutting information overload on the MTA’s platform information screens
www.adamfishercox.com
April 26, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"Thanks to some excellent data work by the engineering team that dug all the way down to analyzing the frequency of pings from a train’s onboard beacons as it enters the station, all screens in the system now show the same arrival times" -- www.adamfishercox.com/portfolio/mt...
@wafisher.bsky.social and the team at @nyctransit.bsky.social have been doing a great job improving all the digital signs across the system. Having explanations here, and readable of why things are delayed is a great for straphangers.
Redesigned countdown clocks include a much improved alert screen function. It’s readable(!) and the key info is visible and present instead of scrolling across the bottom in a size 12 font.
April 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
@wafisher.bsky.social and the team at @nyctransit.bsky.social have been doing a great job improving all the digital signs across the system. Having explanations here, and readable of why things are delayed is a great for straphangers.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
This is why I’m currently not too worried about the OMB challenge either. bsky.app/profile/reic...
My favorite part of this is the way they completely destroyed any possibility of winning an APA challenge to their second attempt to do this through alternate means.
Pretext? Written down!
Pretext? Written down!
April 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
This is why I’m currently not too worried about the OMB challenge either. bsky.app/profile/reic...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
It appears so.
Did the Federal DOT just accidentally file a letter containing legal advice from the DOJ, instead of a letter addressed to the Judge, in the MTA v Duffy case?
April 24, 2025 at 1:27 AM
It appears so.
Another day, another unfortunate blunder from @mta.info, this time, ordering battery electric locomotives for use on electrified railroad territory
Despite superior, more cost-effective alternatives, the MTA is purchasing battery-electric locomotives for Metro-North to run on already electrified Penn Station Access tracks.
This decision is baffling and misguided, and we urge the MTA to reconsider.
Read our analysis now.
This decision is baffling and misguided, and we urge the MTA to reconsider.
Read our analysis now.
March 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Another day, another unfortunate blunder from @mta.info, this time, ordering battery electric locomotives for use on electrified railroad territory
This move from @mta.info to procure expensive battery electric locomotives that can’t run in catenary mode to Penn station or NJ instead of using better EMU’s and wiring additional territory is deeply disappointing.
Battery-electric locomotives are the wrong technology for Penn Station Access, and procuring them would be a major mistake.
Electric multiple units will always be cheaper and perform better, especially when the route is already entirely electrified.
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
Electric multiple units will always be cheaper and perform better, especially when the route is already entirely electrified.
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
Governor Hochul Announces Metro-North to Operate First-in-the-Nation Battery- and Electric-Powered Locomotives for Penn Station Access
Governor Hochul announced details of a major expansion of Metro-North Railroad’s railcar fleet, unveiling plans to add new trains that will provide New Haven Line service to Penn Station and four addi...
www.governor.ny.gov
February 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
This move from @mta.info to procure expensive battery electric locomotives that can’t run in catenary mode to Penn station or NJ instead of using better EMU’s and wiring additional territory is deeply disappointing.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
The US is still a nation of laws, and congestion pricing is the law of NY state.
The federal government cannot legally start and stop programs on a whim.
ETA stands behind the MTA in its lawsuit to ensure that this successful program continues to improve NY.
The federal government cannot legally start and stop programs on a whim.
ETA stands behind the MTA in its lawsuit to ensure that this successful program continues to improve NY.
BREAKING: The Trump administration, cloaking itself in the mantle of concern for the "working class," has withdrawn federal approval for congestion pricing, cutting funding for billions of dollars in repairs to the NYC region's lifeblood transit system.
BREAKING: Trump Withdraws Federal Approval for Congestion Pricing; Hole Blown in Transit Repair Budget - Streetsblog New York City
Say it ain’t so, Don! The Trump administration, cloaking itself in the mantle of concern for the “working class,” has withdrawn the Biden-era federal approval for congestion pricing, cutting funding…
buff.ly
February 19, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The US is still a nation of laws, and congestion pricing is the law of NY state.
The federal government cannot legally start and stop programs on a whim.
ETA stands behind the MTA in its lawsuit to ensure that this successful program continues to improve NY.
The federal government cannot legally start and stop programs on a whim.
ETA stands behind the MTA in its lawsuit to ensure that this successful program continues to improve NY.
After months of research, we have released our new report on Penn station expansion. This project is not necessary to unlock the capacity gateway will deliver.
In a recent report, Amtrak made fundamentally flawed arguments against through-running at Penn Station while pushing its unnecessary $16.7B project.
The report is simply incorrect and should be dismissed. NYC is ready for through-running.
Read our analysis now!
www.etany.org/penn-station...
The report is simply incorrect and should be dismissed. NYC is ready for through-running.
Read our analysis now!
www.etany.org/penn-station...
Penn Station Can Handle the Load: NY is ready for Through-Running — Effective Transit Alliance New York
Through-running at Penn Station would transform regional rail in NYC, and we have the infrastructure to do it.
However, in a recent report, Amtrak made fundamentally flawed arguments pushing its unne...
www.etany.org
January 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
After months of research, we have released our new report on Penn station expansion. This project is not necessary to unlock the capacity gateway will deliver.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
The MTA has near-sighted plans to buy slow & expensive diesel equipment for our commuter system.
But the future of urban rail is electric, & they should be laying the groundwork now for a better system in the long run.
Read Part 2 of our Capital Plan analysis now:
www.etany.org/not-so-capit...
But the future of urban rail is electric, & they should be laying the groundwork now for a better system in the long run.
Read Part 2 of our Capital Plan analysis now:
www.etany.org/not-so-capit...
A Not So Capital Plan Pt 2: The Future is Electric — Effective Transit Alliance New York
The future of urban rail is electric. Unfortunately, NYC has near-sighted plans for its commuter system that could hinder electrification for decades. It’s time to move past the status quo & lay groun...
www.etany.org
December 16, 2024 at 9:14 PM
The MTA has near-sighted plans to buy slow & expensive diesel equipment for our commuter system.
But the future of urban rail is electric, & they should be laying the groundwork now for a better system in the long run.
Read Part 2 of our Capital Plan analysis now:
www.etany.org/not-so-capit...
But the future of urban rail is electric, & they should be laying the groundwork now for a better system in the long run.
Read Part 2 of our Capital Plan analysis now:
www.etany.org/not-so-capit...
Building on what @ndhapple.bsky.social coincidentally released earlier- www.curbed.com/article/subw.... Our new report discusses some key points for subway rolling stock procurement.
November 21, 2024 at 8:57 PM
Building on what @ndhapple.bsky.social coincidentally released earlier- www.curbed.com/article/subw.... Our new report discusses some key points for subway rolling stock procurement.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
We just posted a rolling stock data set. We wanted to understand how rolling stock costs vary, and this seemed like a good way to do it! It’s early days. Please check out. Please let us know how to do better: transitcosts.com/rolling-stoc...
Rolling Stock Data
Rolling Stock Costs Database View & Download the Data
This is the first version of our rolling stock costs database, to complement our primary urban rail construction costs database, excluding rolli...
transitcosts.com
November 21, 2024 at 3:01 AM
We just posted a rolling stock data set. We wanted to understand how rolling stock costs vary, and this seemed like a good way to do it! It’s early days. Please check out. Please let us know how to do better: transitcosts.com/rolling-stoc...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
Equipment reliability continues to bedevil #NJTransit Rail Operations with fleet mean distance between failures (MDBF) falling to 48,959 miles in October 2024. The Multilevel IIIs won’t begin entering service until at least mid-2025, so it’s imperative for the agency to find a way to fix this ASAP.
November 19, 2024 at 6:55 PM
Equipment reliability continues to bedevil #NJTransit Rail Operations with fleet mean distance between failures (MDBF) falling to 48,959 miles in October 2024. The Multilevel IIIs won’t begin entering service until at least mid-2025, so it’s imperative for the agency to find a way to fix this ASAP.
A tiered approach that does not reflect that certain building types will not pencil out or even be possible with parking mandates would be a major disappointment that removes a significant number of potential units city wide.
A tiered approach to lifting parking mandates is a failed approach. This Council will be failing New Yorkers who so desperately need homes and dooming us to decades more of car dependency and climate disaster. Truly a failure of leadership if this is what we get.
Important news from @smaldo.bsky.social on NYC's proposed zoning overhaul to create more housing: A compromise is in the works over the mayor's proposed elimination of parking requirements in new construction. That could seriously set back how many new apartments the plan would enable.
November 20, 2024 at 4:44 AM
A tiered approach that does not reflect that certain building types will not pencil out or even be possible with parking mandates would be a major disappointment that removes a significant number of potential units city wide.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
With decongestion pricing set to start in 2025, New York’s leadership must become extremely serious about reforming how the state builds stuff. Remember, France is constructing 120 miles of new subway lines and 68 stations for just 70% of the cost of MTA's 5-year capital plan.
November 19, 2024 at 3:48 AM
With decongestion pricing set to start in 2025, New York’s leadership must become extremely serious about reforming how the state builds stuff. Remember, France is constructing 120 miles of new subway lines and 68 stations for just 70% of the cost of MTA's 5-year capital plan.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
California's gamble on green hydrogen as a path to decarbonizing transport not looking good right now. We can continue down the current path and suffer chronic fuel shortages and/or reliance on CO2-intensive fossil hydrogen, or we can invest in proven overhead catenary rail instead.
November 18, 2024 at 8:58 PM
California's gamble on green hydrogen as a path to decarbonizing transport not looking good right now. We can continue down the current path and suffer chronic fuel shortages and/or reliance on CO2-intensive fossil hydrogen, or we can invest in proven overhead catenary rail instead.
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
Made a starter pack to help Minecraft modders find other modders, artists, community members on bluesky. go.bsky.app/JvLfdiD
November 15, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Made a starter pack to help Minecraft modders find other modders, artists, community members on bluesky. go.bsky.app/JvLfdiD
Apparently, the New Brunswick to Newark catenary funding is just for design work. This is quite unfortunate, this is a good chunk of what this project should cost total and its just for design work. railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.do...
railroads.dot.gov
November 15, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Apparently, the New Brunswick to Newark catenary funding is just for design work. This is quite unfortunate, this is a good chunk of what this project should cost total and its just for design work. railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.do...
Reposted by Madison - ProgWML6
Not only increasing, but significantly cutting service!
Weekend Newark service has been cut 50% most of the year
Weekend JSQ service is being cut 50% for the foreseeable future
Hoboken is being closed around the clock for nearly a month, and Newport is next...
Weekend Newark service has been cut 50% most of the year
Weekend JSQ service is being cut 50% for the foreseeable future
Hoboken is being closed around the clock for nearly a month, and Newport is next...
PATH is increasing fares without any indication of improving service, despite routinely abysmal off-peak frequencies.
Raising prices while consistently providing a poor service that fails to meet ridership demands is unfair and unsustainable.
www.nj.com/news/2024/11...
Raising prices while consistently providing a poor service that fails to meet ridership demands is unfair and unsustainable.
www.nj.com/news/2024/11...
PATH fare hike in new Port Authority budget. See how much you will have to pay.
The Port Authority introduced a 2025 budget that calls for a toll increase and the first PATH fare increase in a decade.
www.nj.com
November 15, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Not only increasing, but significantly cutting service!
Weekend Newark service has been cut 50% most of the year
Weekend JSQ service is being cut 50% for the foreseeable future
Hoboken is being closed around the clock for nearly a month, and Newport is next...
Weekend Newark service has been cut 50% most of the year
Weekend JSQ service is being cut 50% for the foreseeable future
Hoboken is being closed around the clock for nearly a month, and Newport is next...