Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Municipal Art Society of New York

Does the U.S. Have a “Third World Transportation System”?

Funding shortfalls and logistical hurdles may be delaying plans to replace Penn Station, but the Municipal Art Society's campaign for Moynihan Station is not letting up. The MAS has been on a roll this spring, hosting a series of events related to the West Side project. This video, posted yesterday, features former Washington Post reporter Don Phillips and Metro-North
lawyer Walter Zullig, Jr. discussing the project within the context of the national and regional rail networks. From the MAS recap:

Phillips provided a global overview of the transportation crisis anddiscussed how Europe, Asia, and even Mexico are placing massiveinvestments in their infrastructure. France, for instance, is buildingrail tunnels “like crazy” for trains that, in some cases, will becarrying trucks. Iran is on a rail building boom. And Mexico isbuilding a huge new port and rail network to compete with the Port ofLos Angeles.

But “we have no vision at all,” said Phillips. “All we can say now is no new taxes.”

Rail enthusiasts jonesing for pictures of gorgeous new stations will get their fix in the first part of the video, which shows some recently completed projects -- in Europe, of course. If the Port Authority takes over the Moynihan Station project, might New York finally get a palatial new station of its own?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

One Betrayal After Another: The Eric Adams Bus And Bike Legacy

The first mayor tasked with implementing the city's Streets Master Plan pitched himself as the man who'd get the job done. He very much did not.

December 29, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: It’s Hard to Bike in a Snowstorm

Even relatively small storms are a challenge for a city that claims it wants to encourage cycling. Plus other news.

December 29, 2025

Streetsies 2025 (And Friday Video!): Vote for Your Favorite Clips of the Year

A New York Met, the birth of "No Kings," and Cuomo running a stop sign are just some of the best things we caught on camera this year.

December 26, 2025

Memo to Mamdani: Support the QueensLink for Better Mass Transit

The Rockaways needs the transit benefits of QueensLink. Our contributor hopes the new mayor puts his weight behind the concept.

December 26, 2025

How Mamdani Can Deliver a Bigger Dream for Buses

To truly upgrade the New York City's bus system, the Mamdani administration needs to think even bigger than "fast and free."

December 26, 2025
See all posts