Friday morning rail news:
Biden coronavirus plan includes $20 billion for transit
Some $20 billion in “relief for the hardest hit public transit agencies” is part of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan released by President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday, a wide-ranging legislative package including $1,400 per-person payments to most households, a national COVID-19 vaccination program and increased testing program, aid to schools, a $15-per-hour minimum wage, and expanded access to health care. The document outlining the plan says the transit aid “will keep agencies from laying off transit workers and cutting the routes that essential workers rely on every day.” The Washington Post reports the plan is meant to be passed quickly and will be followed by a broader recovery package. Transit officials welcomed the news, with American Public Transportation Association CEO Paul P. Skoutelas saying in a statement that the transit funding “is vital to the industry’s survival and will help prevent massive labor cuts and drastic service reductions.” Patrick J. Foye, Chairman of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in a statement that Biden “has always been an ardent supporter of mass transit, and we’re gratified to see it continues to be one of his key priorities as he prepares to take office next week. … It’s clear the new administration believes in transit and understands that these investments will jumpstart our economic recovery. Because without a robust MTA powering New York’s revival, there can be no national rebound.”
Penn Station expansion part of Cuomo’s $306 billion New York infrastructure plan
Expansion of New York’s Penn Station is among $306 billion in infrastructure projects outlined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a Thursday speech, the fourth in a series of State of the State addresses. WABC-TV reports a $51 billion, transit-oriented development in Midtown Manhattan would include state acquisition of a block south of Penn Station, allowing eight tracks to be added to the 21 existing tracks. It also includes two new Hudson River tunnels, part of the much-discussed Gateway project, and renovation of the existing tunnels. A previously announced extension of the High Line park to the new Moynihan Train Hall [see “Digest: New York announces plans to connect High Line …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 11, 2021] is also part of the project. More on the plan and video of the 24-minute address is available here.
Metra again extends sale of $10 all-day pass
Chicago’s Metra is once again extending sale of its $10 all-day pass, this time through the end of February. The pass, introduced June 1, 2020 to provide additional flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now used by about a third of Metra passengers. For most trips, the all-day pass costs less than two one-way tickets needed for a single round trip. Passes bought via the Ventra smartphone app are good for up to seven days after purchase; paper passes are good only on the day of sale.
