Skip to Content
Author: The BCW

Leave a Comment

MTA Leaders Outline Post-Pandemic Plans

The top leadership of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority provided BCW members with an insightful overview of the MTA’s post-pandemic plans to restore regular service including adding 66 trains to Metro-North’s weekday schedule on March 27.

MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber and Catherine Rinaldi, president of Metro-North Railroad and interim president of Long Island Rail Road, described their agency’s post-pandemic plans at the BCW’s Political Leadership Series program held on Monday. Besides adding 66 trains to the weekday schedule, the executives described how they are prioritizing increased ridership, enhanced rider safety, luring hybrid workers and replacing infrastructure essential to safely running trains into Grand Central Terminal.

Lieber said a priority is re-establishing a sense of personal safety in the transit network. “We’ve all seen the press coverage of some of the recent horrific attacks that took place in the mass transit system, on the subway in particular. We’re not going to tolerate violence or attacks on our workforce or our riders,” said Lieber. “We don’t want an environment of disorder.” The emphasis on rules means the MTA is asking police to crack down on smoking, shopping carts and other mass-transit prohibitions.

The addition of 66 trains to Metro-North’s three lines will allow for faster morning commutes and bring the railroad to 89% of its pre-pandemic service, although weekday ridership is still at about 50% of pre-pandemic levels. Weekend ridership is back at 100% of pre-pandemic levels. “We are seeing extremely strong ridership east of the Hudson over the past couple of weeks,” said Rinaldi.

BCW Executive Vice President John Ravitz, who moderated the webinar, said the MTA plays a critical role in helping to bring back economic development to Westchester County and that a strong transit system is a vital service that helps with staff recruitment and retains businesses in Westchester.

This program was sponsored by the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Empire City Casino, Levitt Fuirst Associates and Thalle Industries. A recording of the webinar is posted on the BCW’s Facebook page.

Similar News Items

Texas offers New York valuable lessons on strengthening its energy grid with solar and battery storage, a key goal of the Business Council of Westchester’s Clean Energy Action Coalition. Despite record-breaking heat and increasing demand, these renewable resources are proving to be reliable and affordable solutions for the Lone Star State. Read more…

Read Article

Awarding Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts a full-scale commercial license has been a top legislative priority of the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) for the last several years. New York State will award the 3 remaining commercial casino licenses by December 31st, and the field is highly competitive. What was once seen as a […]

Read Article

BCW Member Iona University proudly celebrated its newly renovated dining hall and student union with a ribbon cutting ceremony held Wednesday, marking a major milestone in its ongoing commitment to elevating the student experience. The 20,000-square-foot, two-story transformation of the LaPenta Student Union reflects a vibrant vision of campus life, one that fosters connection, curiosity […]

Read Article

Become A Member

Join the county’s largest and most influential business organization today.

JOIN NOW!
The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate, and grow. Over 80 events and programs are offered every year, giving our members ample opportunity to connect and meet with businesses representatives in the Westchester community and beyond.
Back to top