Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Friday’s Headlines: The MTA Needs More Money Edition

12:05 AM EDT on July 24, 2020

It costs a lot to clean the subway, which is why the MTA is out of money.

On Thursday, the Senate decided to not bother to take up a transit bailout package, as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell punted the issue to next week (CNBC).

The timing couldn't be worse because the MTA said on Thursday that the last pennies of the $3.8-billion it received earlier in the pandemic would run out ... today (amNY). (In case you missed it, our editorial cartoonist had some fun with the fiscal crisis.)

Let's hope we get some good news next week. Until then, here's today's news:

    • The Post played it as a joke, but what are people supposed to do if they want to exercise their constitutional right to protest their government if the government doesn't make proper hygienic facilities available? Must people rally only in between rushing home to pee?
    • Subway ridership continues to surge, which Mayor de Blasio attributed to how clean the trains are — giving Gov. Cuomo less of a reason to restore full 24-7 service. (NY Post)
    • The Independent Budget Office confirmed what we all know (and we reported many times): Drivers were speeding like crazy during the height of the pandemic. (amNY)
    • And in case you missed it, Streetsblog and Chalkbeat, the seminal education site, collaborated on a story about how pressure is mounting on Mayor de Blasio to hold public school classes outdoors — on car-free streets!
    • Meanwhile, the principals' union is upset at the Department of Education's slow planning process for opening schools in little more than a month. (WSJ, NY Post)
    • Here's more good news about the chokehold bill signed by the mayor earlier this month: It has Cuomo's state troopers so worried that they're backing off from using the illegal tactic. (NY Post)
    • Eight public pools will open today. Here's a list. (NY Post)

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

What’s Behind the Increasing Assaults of NYC Transit Workers?

A new study says the violence isn't about the transit, but a reflection of our society.

December 7, 2023

Thursday’s Headlines: What an Historic Day Edition

It was such a big deal that all sorts of strangers in the press corps showed up. Plus other news.

December 7, 2023

Council Repeals Decade-Old Law that Stalled Bike Lane Installation

The City Council repealed a notorious. out-dated law that imposed lengthy delays on the city before it could break ground on new bike lanes.

December 7, 2023

Dynamic! MTA Could Hike Congestion Pricing Toll 25% on Gridlock Alert Days

The MTA said it had that power, and modeled it in its environmental assessment (see footnote 2 below), but no one ever reported it, until Wednesday.

December 6, 2023

Judge Orders Trial for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Turned Down ‘Reasonable’ Sentencing Offer

Judge Brendan Lantry turns down driver's request for mere probation for killing a delivery worker in 2022. The trial will start in January.

December 6, 2023
See all posts