The Voice News: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, focusing heavily on system modernization efforts—just one day after scoring a legal win in the congestion pricing battle.
Board members outlined upgrades that include improvements to surveillance cameras, communication cables, public announcements, emergency systems, and station facilities—investments totaling $3 billion. These upgrades are largely unseen by the public but deemed essential by MTA officials.
A major highlight was the expansion of underground cell service. Building on last year’s success with the Times Square Shuttle, the MTA’s current capital program will extend cell coverage through key tunnels on the 4 and 5 lines between Manhattan and Brooklyn and along the G line between Court Street and Hoyt Street. This expansion is part of a public-private partnership with Bolden (formerly Transit Wireless), valued at $600 million—at no cost to the MTA or its riders.
Legal Win for Congestion Pricing
The meeting came a day after a federal judge ruled in the MTA’s favor, blocking the federal government from halting funds or penalizing New York State over its congestion pricing program—at least until June 9. That temporary restraining order was later made permanent.
“Today, we’re celebrating that congestion pricing isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving,” said MTA CEO Janno Lieber. In April alone, the program generated $56.7 million in revenue, with a year-to-date total of $215.7 million.
