“The U.S. Department of Transportation has worked alongside the New York MTA since Hurricane Sandy made landfall to help the nation’s busiest transit network recover as quickly as possible,” said Secretary Foxx. “The funds we are providing today will go a long way to help the MTA continue clearing debris from tunnels, rebuilding stations, and replacing electrical systems damaged by flooding, giving transit riders a transit system that is stronger than ever before.”
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The funds reimburse the MTA for work that is already underway and also enable future projects to be completed. The announcement allows MTA to begin drawing down an additional $886 million from the $3.8 billion FTA had allocated to the MTA for Sandy-related work.
MTA will use the funds to complete hundreds of projects in the following categories:
Rail Support and Equipment Facilities Repair: $535 million for critical repairs primarily to three damaged under-river tunnels—Greenpoint, Montague and Steinway.
Electrical and Power Distribution Repair: $138.9 million to restore damaged substations and power infrastructure for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad.
Signal and Communication Repair: $88.1 million to repair essential communications and signal equipment for Metro-North (system wide) and LIRR’s Long Beach Branch and Westside storage yard.
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Transitway Line Restoration: $91.5 million to restore damaged rights of way on the Metro-North Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Lines; and for design services to make long-term repairs to damaged assets.
Rail Stations, Stops and Terminals: $32 million to repair to stations, employee facilities, and fare collection equipment for both rail and bus facilities.
For all transit agencies eligible to receive Hurricane Sandy aid, FTA has allocated approximately 55% of the $10.35 billion available through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 after a nearly $545 million cut due to sequestration. Approximately $4 billion worth of work is already under way.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
Metro launches a 24-month project to replace 3,700 bus stop signs, introducing improved visibility, QR-enabled rider info, and expanded amenities across Hamilton County.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The plan represents an increase of just 1.9% over the current year, and includes investments in new buses, more full-length fare gates, and other enhancements for customers.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.
