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Service Diversions Note

Posted by
on April 22nd, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Just a quick note, the MTA has just announced that the scheduled diversion calling for the Queens-bound N train to run along the D train from Coney Island-Stillwell Ave to 36th St due to track panel installation has been canceled.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Reduces Gas Emissions

Posted by
on April 22nd, 2011 at 10:43 am

Over the last few years, the MTA has spent countless time, energy, & resources to help reduce their gas emissions. Just a few minutes ago, the agency proudly issued a press release talking about how they reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 16.6 million metric tons:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that its operations reduced the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions of the region by 16.6 million metric tons in 2009 through congestion relief, mode shift and land use effects. At the same time, the MTA reduced its own carbon output by 2.5% per passenger mile traveled or 1% in aggregate over the prior year, according to an outside audit.

“The MTA’s transit system makes New York sustainable, with a carbon footprint one-quarter of the national average,” said MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder. “But our commitment to the environment goes even further, as we continue working to reduce our own emissions and improve the environmental performance of our entire operation.”

Using a protocol established by The Climate Registry, the MTA meticulously quantifies its greenhouse gas emissions for all facilities, vehicles, and operations. The MTA released 2.29 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent through its operations, or 23,000 fewer metric tons than the prior year. Nearly 80% of the MTA’s greenhouse gas emissions result from generating the electricity that powers subways and commuter trains, as well as burning fuel – largely compressed natural gas and ultra-low sulfur diesel – in buses and diesel commuter trains. Only 20% of the emissions come from “behind-the-scenes” operations, like maintenance facilities or offices. For more details, see the attached report, “More MTA = Less CO2.”

The annual emissions figure was verified by an audit of 2009 emissions conducted by LRQA Americas Sustainability, Inc. An audit of 2010 emissions is now underway. “It’s clear that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has made lowering its emissions one of its top priorities,” said Ryan Schauland, Technical Specialist at LRQA Americas Sustainability, Inc. and Lead Verifier of the MTA’s 2009 greenhouse gas inventory. “The MTA’s proactive approach to voluntary verification of its greenhouse gas emissions under The Climate Registry gives the organization, and the millions of people who use its public transportation system, confidence in the MTA’s emissions reduction claims. We recognize their dedication and commitment to their carbon reduction strategies and congratulate them on another job well done.”

Measuring its carbon footprint under the auspices of The Climate Registry allows the MTA to prepare for future regulation, identify inefficiencies and potential for cost savings, and provide real and meaningful data to the public about environmental performance. It is a step toward reducing energy use, energy-related costs and carbon emissions.

“Climate Registered organizations understand that there are both environmental and economic benefits to understanding and managing your carbon footprint,” said Denise Sheehan, Executive Director of The Climate Registry. “The MTA has become part of a powerful community of Climate Registered organizations, with substantive data guiding and supporting its sustainable activities.”

For more information about the MTA’s impact on global sustainability, visit www.mta.info/sustainability where you read our report, “More MTA = Less CO2”.

About The Climate Registry:

The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization that operates the only carbon footprint registry in North America supported by states, provinces, territories and tribes. The Climate Registry helps hundreds of public and private organizations measure, report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with integrity.

For more information, please visit www.theclimateregistry.org.

About LRQA Americas Sustainability, Inc.:

LRQA Americas Sustainability, Inc., is one of the longest-standing accredited greenhouse gas verification bodies in the United States and one of the first to attain American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation under ISO 14065 for The Climate Registry. For over a decade, the company has worked with clients across North America to manage complex environmental issues, such as climate action planning, preparing carbon footprints and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. LRQA Americas Sustainability is a part of the global LRQA brand and a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group of entities. Operating in over 120 countries, LRQA is a leading global independent provider of Business Assurance services including certification, validation, verification and training.

For more information, please visit www.rmaq.com.

Click here to read or download the entire report.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 04-21-11

Posted by
on April 21st, 2011 at 7:02 pm

I have just updated the Service Diversions with the latest planned work for the upcoming weekend, next week, & beyond. As always, I suggest printing out a copy before heading to your destination. If you have an internet capable handheld device, use it to access Transit Blogger’s mobile site.

The next update will be at 5:01 AM Monday when all weekend work will be removed. Have a safe & wonderful weekend.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA To Restore M50

Posted by
on April 21st, 2011 at 4:33 pm

When the MTA was forced to cut service last June due to severe budget issues, bus riders were the hardest hit in terms of the amount of service cut or lost. One of those lines cut was the M50 which lost weekend service.

This past Monday, the MTA announced it was restoring weekend service on the line much to the delight of the thousands of riders who fought for it. Serena Solomon of DNA Info has more:

The MTA will restore weekend service on the M50, a popular crosstown bus line, reversing a controversial decision made last year, the agency announced Monday.

Service on the route, which runs east to west along 49th and 50th streets from Twelfth to First avenues, was scaled back by budget cuts. But after more than 4,000 residents signed a petition calling for service restoration, the MTA brought it back.

But the route will be shortened, and evening service will not be restored. The M50 used to turn on Second Avenue and head down to East 42nd Street, where it would turn and then head back north along First Avenue. But under the new plan, all stops below East 48th Street will be eliminated.

The savings generated by that change will pay for the restored service.

More than 4,000 residents signed a petition organized by Rep. Carolyn Maloney to have the weekend route reinstated after it was eliminated as part of a series of public transport cutbacks throughout the city.

Click here for the complete report.

This is a positive sign that the MTA listened to its riders & explored how it could benefit them without hurting their bottom line. I also feel this is a lesson that riders should note so they can fight for better mass transit not just in their neighborhood but the entire region.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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1

LIRR Needs To Change Amtrak Agreement

Posted by
on April 21st, 2011 at 1:11 pm

I don’t need to remind Long Island Rail Road riders how much of a nightmare the Monday night PM rush commute was. Due to an emergency rail condition in one of the East River tunnels, the LIRR was forced to cancel 21 eastbound trains & suspend all westbound service into Penn Station.

The repairs which were done by Amtrak due to the agreement that they own & maintain Penn Station needs to change according to MTA Board Member Mitchell Pally. Alfonso A. Castillo of Newsday has more:

MTA and LIRR officials lashed out against Amtrak Thursday morning, calling it “unacceptable” that the agency conducted repairs in a Penn Station tunnel during the Passover rush Monday, severely disrupting Long Island Rail Road service.

At a Manhattan meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board’s railroad committee, board member Mitchell Pally said the MTA should look to change its agreement with Amtrak, which owns and maintains Penn Station, so that the LIRR takes over the maintenance of the tracks it uses.

“They run the least amount of trains and have the least amount of people in the service, and run the program,” Pally said of Amtrak.

Click here for the complete report.

While some might say Mr. Pally is overreacting to the situation that occurred, I feel he makes an excellent point. While I understand the agreement that is in place, it does not make sense for Amtrak to have final says on things when they are the minority service provider from the facility.

They have a history of being extremely ineffective in terms of making timely decisions & getting things done. Unless the rail condition was of an extreme emergency variety, they had no business waiting until the PM rush to do the work. While 21 trains does not sound like a lot, that is a huge number for the LIRR considering it is the nation’s largest commuter railroad in terms of passenger loads.

I think this incident should lead to an overhaul of the agreement as it would benefit all parties involved & just make common sense. It will be interesting to see if Amtrak will be willing to change the status quo.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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