🚧 Flip-Flops, Federal Lawsuits & Bathroom Maps: Welcome to Edition #16 of the BOMA-NY Transportation Report 🗞️

June 2024 | BOMA-NY Codes & Regs Committee

This month, the transportation world turned upside down—again. Just weeks before launch, Governor Hochul pulled the plug on congestion pricing, flipping the switch on one of NYC’s most hyped (and expensive) transit policies in recent history. With billions in MTA funding now hanging in limbo, political backlash from all sides, and lawsuits already in motion, the drama has just begun.

But that’s only one piece of the wild June puzzle. From subway ghost stations and red-light camera expansions to dog jets, Waymo robotaxis, and Union Square murals, the city’s infrastructure narrative continues to mix high stakes with high comedy.

In this issue:

🛑 Congestion Pricing hits the brakes—indefinitely delayed, billions lost, lawsuits brewing
💸 The MTA needs $25B—and can’t bond against a broken promise
🛠️ Second Ave Subway and zero-emissions buses now on hold
🚆 Gateway Tunnel enters “no-turning-back” mode as $16B project ramps up
🛫 JFK traffic chaos begins, just in time for record flight volume and terminal renovations
🚇 Subway delays surge 30%, OMNY still behind, and the G Train shuts down
🚨 E-bike crackdowns escalate; over 42,000 illegal vehicles seized
🚗 Red light cameras expand to 600 NYC intersections
🚽 Mayor Adams declares war on… bathrooms? (82 new restrooms planned, map available!)

📍All that, plus Tesla trucks at Wawa, Taylor Ham sandwiches causing diplomatic tension, and George Costanza’s guide to public toilets. Yes, really.

— Glenn Waldorf
Transportation Subcommittee Chair
Bell Environmental Services
📞 973-575-7800
✉️ info@bellenv.com

✅ June 2024 Transportation Report Summary Bullets

🚧 Congestion Pricing Implosion

  • Governor Hochul announces indefinite pause, citing:

    • Post-COVID commuting patterns

    • Economic pressure on working families

    • Fear of voter backlash in swing districts

  • MTA had already spent $400M on implementation. $3B revenue now evaporates.

  • Legal confusion: MTA may be legally obligated to launch tolls under 2019 law

  • Plan B? Hochul hints at payroll tax hike, shifting cost burden to NYC employers

🏗️ MTA Budget Breakdown

  • MTA needs $25B more for 2025–2029 capital plan

  • Without congestion pricing, Second Ave Subway extension, ADA upgrades, and electric buses could be cut

  • By 2031, MTA debt payments may hit $5B/year

🚆 Gateway & Tunnels

  • Gateway Tunnel enters final federal funding stage; $12B secured

  • NJ Transit to fund $88M of East River tunnel repairs

🏢 Penn Station & Port Authority

  • Port Authority Bus Terminal revamp enters public review

  • Project includes:

    • 5 new bus floors, 2 skyscrapers, 3x bus storage, and green park deck over Dyer Ave

🚌 Buses & Clean Transit

  • EPA: Every diesel school bus replaced saves $207K in health & climate costs

  • New bus lanes coming to 96th Street

🚦 NYC Streets, Parking, and Dining

  • “Battle for the Streets” intensifies:

    • 97% of NYC street parking is free

    • Proposal for residential parking permits resurfaces

  • Outdoor dining shed deadline: August 3—permits or removal required

🚇 Subways & OMNY

  • Subway delays up 30% YTD

  • G Train shutting down this summer for signal upgrades

  • Fare evasion crackdown continues; OMNY MetroCard phase-out delayed indefinitely

🚴 Micromobility & Enforcement

  • 42,000+ illegal mopeds/scooters seized in 30 months

  • NYPD moped stings and Parks Dept. extends e-bike pilot

  • E-cargo bikes approved to reduce truck deliveries

🚗 Red Light Cameras & Car Tech

  • NY Legislature approves 600 red-light cameras, up from 150

  • New cars in CA may soon warn drivers they’re speeding

  • Cars now track driver data for insurers and law enforcement

✈️ Airport Gridlock & Chaos

  • $19B JFK overhaul begins—travelers warned to expect:

    • 15–30 minute drop-off delays

    • AirTrain closures, 10-min walks for taxis

  • JetBlue adds MacArthur Airport routes

  • Digital mobile ID now available for airport security screening

💥 Climate & Catastrophes

  • Hurricane season predicted to be abnormally active

  • Turbulence-related injuries and flight delays on the rise

  • 12 straight months of record heat worldwide

🐾 Odds & Ends

  • Bathroom map launched—Google-layer shows 82 public facilities across NYC

  • Camel crashes into car in India (yes, that happened)

  • George Costanza returns with his toilet-location superpower

Read The Full Report Here! BOMA NY Codes & Regs Committee Transportation Report June 2024