Tuesday morning rail transit news:
New York MTA faces massive debt without additional aid
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority could see its total debt reach $50 billion if no further federal aid is forthcoming and it has to borrow money to address the deficit created by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The website amNY.com reports that, with the MTA saying it could face $12 billion in debt over the next four years, DiNapoli says borrowing $10 billion could lead the agency’s debt service represent a quarter of every dollar the MTA takes in by 2023. Interest on the loan, added to the $35.4 billion in existing debut, could push the total debt figure to $50.4 billion.
Ottawa begins ticketing no-mask transit riders
After months of educating riders about the need to wear a mask, Canada’s capital city is beginning to write tickets for those who don’t wear face coverings on its transit system. OttawaMatters.com reports transit constables will begin issuing $260 tickets as of today (Oct. 13) for those not wearing a mask while riding the OC Transpo system or while inside a station. The officers had begun issuing written warnings earlier in the month.Man killed after falling at CTA station, making contact with third rail
A 60-year-old man was killed Monday when he fell into the tracks at the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line L station at Granville and made contact with the electrified third rail. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the accident happened about 10:25 p.m., and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. No additional information is available.
A 60-year-old man was killed Monday when he fell into the tracks at the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line L station at Granville and made contact with the electrified third rail. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the accident happened about 10:25 p.m., and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. No additional information is available.
