Foes hit gov rail-fix plan
IT WAS A bit of a rough ride at Thursday’s MTA meeting, with the city’s three board members voting no on Gov. Cuomo’s plan to beautify stations.
The $213 million in contracts for Cuomo’s controversial station rehab program passed anyway, with 10 yes votes. The $1 billion Enhanced Station Initiative — fixing up stations while adding digital screens, new lighting and artwork — has been criticized for failing to include elevators for people who have mobility issues, while emphasizing cosmetic changes. The plan has also taken heat at a time when repairs have slowed down and the subway is still struggling.
“My position has never been that a lot of these enhancements — even the art, even the lighting — is not needed,” said Veronica Vanterpool, an MTA board rep for the city. “My position is not now.”
Carl Weisbrod, another city rep on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, said the agency’s plans for station repairs would burden riders with constant construction. Work has been split up into funding for Cuomo’s station enhancements, repairs and the MTA’s accessibility improvements.
“We’re gonna have to go back in once, we’re gonna have to go back in twice and have to inconvenience riders with stations being closed for an extensive period of time,” Weisbrod said.
Cuomo’s station program has already transformed R train stations in Brooklyn, with work underway in two Astoria, Queens, N and W stations. Stations often are required to fully close for months.
The contracts the MTA board passed Thursday would put $125 million toward the W. 23rd and W. 57th St. stations on Sixth Ave., E. 28th St. stop on Lexington Ave. and the two 34th St.-Penn Station subway stops. The Penn Station stops will remain open.
Another contract for $88 million will cover the 174-175th Sts. and 167th St. on Grand Concourse in the Bronx and the W. 145th St. stop on Lenox Ave.
NYC Transit President Andy Byford defended Cuomo’s enhancement program, citing the $4 billion the MTA is spending on stations, which includes $820 million to get stations repaired. “If this were truly just an aesthetic, cosmetic program, then I would have a problem with that,” Byford said. “I now understand this program better.”
Meanwhile, MTA Chairman Joe Lhota said Subway Action Plan work is being stretched out without funding he’s seeking from the city for his $800 million rescue.