The new year offers some hope for a rebound: a new presidential administration considered more friendly to public transit needs; vaccines that will slow the virus’ spread and help bring back commuters; federal stimulus dollars to blunt some of the pandemic’s effects and advances in major infrastructure projects. The federal stimulus bill recently signed by President Trump provides $4 billion in aid that will stave off the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s so-called “doomsday” budget that could have resulted in deep bus and subway service cuts, fare hikes and layoffs. Those could still be contemplated if additional aid isn’t made available, but the sigh of relief was evident last week when the measure passed both chambers. The yearslong race to install and test positive train control, the emergency braking system required on all U.S. passenger railroads by this week, was largely invisible to commuters. Some fixes and system upgrades will have to be made in the next several months before final certification is given, but the completion of the primary work should mean fewer delays due to train and engineer availability. Like NJ Transit, the MTA’s MetroNorth and Long Island Rail Road met the federal deadline but must make some technological modifications over the next several months to receive final certification.
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/New-year-brings-optimism-for-NY-area-mass-transit-15833420.php