What to Know
- The MTA has delayed plans to modernize stations in Manhattan and the Bronx under Cuomo's plan to improve the subway
- The move came days after city-appointed MTA board members criticized the largely cosmetic project amid widespread service problems
- The decision will be seen as a win for Mayor de Blasio as he continues to battle with Gov. Cuomo over funding the MTA
The MTA has postponed a plan to modernize subway stations, two transit sources told NBC 4 New York on Wednesday.
The transit agency had planned to modernize eight subway stations in the Bronx and Manhattan as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "Enhanced Subway Initiative." The MTA set aside $1 billion to rehab dozens of the city's 472 stations.
The transit sources told News 4 that the plan to modernize the six Manhattan and two Bronx subway stations -- a $124 million project set to start this summer -- has been shelved until at least February. The Manhattan stations include the 23rd Street F/M, the 28th Street 6, the 57th Street F, the 145th Street 3, and the 34th Street stations at Penn Station and Herald Square. The Bronx stations include the 167th Street B/D and the 174th Street B/D.
The decision to halt the renovations comes two days after city-appointed MTA board members questioned how the MTA could justify the price tag on a largely cosmetic project at a time when day-to-day service needs more urgent attention.
Board members also questioned why the renovations weren't at more heavily trafficked stations. Other critics of the plan wondered why the $1 billion overhaul didn't include elevators for wheelchair-bound commuters. (The MTA is set to release its new plan to help disabled riders after months of impassioned lobbying by seniors, transit sources say.)
DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, a de Blasio appointee, was among those who helped block Cuomo appointees on the MTA board from green-lighting the funds for the project.
"We're having a pretty intense debate about every penny. I think we all agree, let's spend it in the way that gets the most bang for the buck," she said.
MTA Chairman Joe Lhota, a Cuomo appointee, has long said the planned rehab was more than cosmetic. He argues fresh paint, better lighting and working MetroCard machines give New Yorkers a sense of safety, not luxury.
Some subway riders told News 4 they'd choose reliable service over renovated subway stations.
Local
"Folks would rather get to school or work on time than they'd rather have a nice train station," commuter Frank Teah said.
