The seemingly-endless onslaught of announcements on NY transit not only annoys riders, but impairs accessibility, making navigating transit far more difficult than it needs to be. ETA outlines the best practices for transit audio design: clear, concise messages reserved for actionable information. It's time to stop the cacophony, and let riders travel in peace.

A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B and with stations more than 100 ft underground, it would be the most expensive subway in the world, and cost riders more than 5 minutes every trip before ever stepping on a train.

By using international best practices and building a more shallow route, however, New York would not only be able to build more transit for less money, but would also save riders significant time every single day.

It’s great to see that the MTA is studying expanding electrification on its commuter railroads, however ETA asked the MTA board to make sure to study more cost-effective catenary and dual-mode electric trains for extensions.

The FRA’s new Phase I report confirms that through-running can expand Penn Station’s capacity within its existing footprint. Read ETA’s full response and learn why the station’s true potential is even greater.

On Tuesday July 14, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal held a forum on through-running for Penn Station. Watch ETA's executive director Blair Lorenzo, the RPA's Tom Wright, and NYU Wagner's Polly Trottenberg debate how through-running can improve service and capacity.

QueensLink would turn an abandoned rail line into a busy subway line. Unfortunately, the project is at risk due to a competing project which would block its path.

The current LIRR strike centers on thoroughly outdated work rules that form a significant impediment to long-term service increases and increased event service.

A fire in the East River tunnels has shut down almost all LIRR service into and out of Penn Station.

While disasters like this are thankfully rare, they highlight the value of an emergency operations plan—especially for a railroad with as many terminals as the LIRR.

A phased plan for through-running service at Penn Station using Metro-North's Penn Station Access as a launching pad. Prepared in 2025.

Reasonably-priced monthly passes are an international best practice for a reason: they are one of the strongest ways to encourage transit ridership, reduce fare evasion, and make proof-of-payment fare collection far easier.

ETA joins other New York area civic organizations to implore the legislature not to mandate two-person train operation.

One-person—and increasingly, fully automated—train operation is the standard around the country and the world. It is safe, and it allows more service at a lower cost.

Victory on the All Faiths Tunnel was just the start. Now we’re pushing for:

* Automated light metro standards

* High-frequency service

* Seamless in-system transfers

Read ETA's official recommendations for the IBX environmental review, submitted last November.

Deinterlining simplifies subway operations, allowing for more trains to travel more quickly, and prevents delays from spreading. It's the correct solution for both riders and operations.

Vital infrastructure is far too important to be used for political games.

New York’s bill banning One-Person Train Operation (OPTO) goes against best practices both across the country and the world, and would leave New York’s transit system far behind its peers

The MTA is planning to replace 40 year old trains—but the new cars it's ordering don't include provisions for regional travel and new electrification.

There have been innumerable proposals to replace Penn Station in New York. Few of these, however, address the station's major issue: capacity, the number of trains and people that can move through the space every hour.

Learn more about Penn in this webinar with ETA’s executive director Blair Lorenzo and the High Speed Rail Alliance!

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 ETA’s statement.

ETA is proud to be giving a webinar with the High Speed Rail Alliance. You can learn about the future of New York’s Penn Station through this conversation between HSRA executive director Rick Harnish and Blair Lorenzo, the leader of the Effective Transit Alliance.
Friday June 6, 2025 at Noon EDT, Register and More Information Here!

Expensive, experimental, slow battery locomotives have no place on already electrified rails