New MTA report calls for major overhaul, investments in system

The MTA Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive plan, devised at the urging of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, to reinvent the region's public transportation network for the next 100 years, including through ideas for light rail, temperature-controlled subway stations, and congestion pricing.

Cuomo tasked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in May to impanel transit experts from the around the world and hold public hearings to come up with a strategy for tackling transportation issues such as climate change, shifting demographics, and population growth. The MTA's Transportation Reinvention Commission released its report Tuesday.

"The report confirms the importance of the MTA to the region and the nation, as well as the need for significant investments to ensure its continued importance going forward," MTA chairman Thomas Prendergast said in a statement. "Some of the commission's recommendations challenge the MTA to perform better, and some challenge the entire New York region to contribute to the improvement of our transportation network."

The 24-member commission, co-chaired by former heads of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, came up with a seven-point plan for the MTA, North America's largest public transportation system.

Those points include changing the MTA's business model to get work done faster and cheaper, including through public-private partnerships; making a commitment to investing in aging, core infrastructure; creating a modern customer experience that will better take advantage of digital technology, including through a universal fare payment system; "aggressively" expanding capacity, including by working with other transit providers, such as the Port Authority; and considering other modes of transport, such as light rail and ferries.

Other points included coming up with a "stable, reliable and long-term" funding plan that would require contributions from transit users and non-transit users alike, including through parking fees.

The report comes as the MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall for its proposed $32 billion capital program, which includes projects to maintain, improve and expand its transportation network through 2019.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.