METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NYC Transit launching town halls to discuss system modernization

The Fast Forward Plan includes goals such as installing new signal and track infrastructure for subways and accelerating accessibility.

August 20, 2018
NYC Transit launching town halls to discuss system modernization

To track and report progress and to hold itself accountable to stakeholders and the public, MTA New York City Transit plans to issue twice-yearly reports on the progress of its Fast Forward Plan initiatives.

Marc A. Hermann/MTA NYC Transit

3 min to read


To track and report progress and to hold itself accountable to stakeholders and the public, MTA New York City Transit plans to issue twice-yearly reports on the progress of its Fast Forward Plan initiatives. Marc A. Hermann/MTA NYC Transit

MTA New York City Transit is hosting a series of town hall-style public meetings in every borough of New York City this year to discuss the recently announced Fast Forward Plan to modernize the subway system and reimagine bus and paratransit service, with the first meeting planned for Tuesday, Aug. 21.

“The Fast Forward Plan is a massive undertaking that requires buy-in from all stakeholders — our customers, our colleagues, advocates, the business community, and elected officials at every level of government,” NYC Transit President Andy Byford said. “The future success of New York City depends upon the success of this comprehensive plan to modernize our transit system, and we’ll be out there in every borough making the case.”

Ad Loading...

In May, Byford introduced the Fast Forward Plan: The Plan to Modernize New York City Transit as a roadmap to modernizing all services offered by MTA New York City Transit, including subway service and subway stations, local, express and SBS bus routes, and paratransit options. The plan also sets out to improve accessibility across all services, and addresses how NYCT can improve its organizational structure, corporate culture, and customer service including communication with the public.

The Fast Forward Plan, which was delivered to the MTA Board, includes goals such as installing state-of-the-art new signal and track infrastructure for subways within five years, accelerating accessibility improvements across the subway system by ensuring all customers will be no more than two stops from an accessible station within five years, repairing and improving more than 150 subway stations over five years, putting a new modern fleet of thousands of subway cars and buses into service within five years, and completely redesigning the bus network to meet new ridership demands and population trends.

To track and report progress and to hold itself accountable to stakeholders and the public, MTA New York City Transit plans to issue twice-yearly reports on the progress of its Fast Forward Plan initiatives. Since the plan was announced, the agency has moved forward on accessibility improvements at three subway stations, moved forward on redesigning the entire Staten Island express bus network to improve reliability and service, increased off-peak service on bus routes with high growth potential, and launched the quarterly Customer Commitment report to set and track clear goals on customer-focused improvements.

Additionally as part of the Fast Forward Plan NYC Transit is implementing a redesign of the Staten Island Express Bus network this week and is embarking on a redesign of bus travel in the Bronx as part of a plan to redesign the bus network throughout the entire city. In June, Byford appointed the agency’s first advisor for systemwide accessibility to improve paratransit service and implement accessibility initiatives in the Fast Forward Plan.

More Management

Cover for Part 2 with AC Transit's Cecil Blandon
ManagementMay 8, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Part 2 with AC Transit's Cecil Blandon

In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.

Read More →
A Société de transport de Montréal transit bus driving past a grassy area with trees.
Managementby StaffMay 8, 2026

Montreal’s STM Reports Ridership Decline, Service Modernization Efforts

The transit agency cites labor disruptions, demographic shifts, and evolving rider needs as it advances safety initiatives, paratransit changes, and major infrastructure projects across its network.

Read More →
Maintenance officials examining a vehicle on a lift.
Managementby Alex RomanMay 8, 2026

Avoiding Mid-Season Breakdowns: A Fleet Readiness Q&A

John Hatman, COO of Master’s Transportation, breaks down the priorities, warning signs and common mistakes fleet managers should address now to stay ahead of summer demand.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A vintage TTC sign against a blue cloudy sky.
Managementby StaffMay 7, 2026

TTC Launches New Wayfinding Pilot, Announces Fare Capping Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

See how the TTC is testing a new wayfinding system at major subway stations while planning to introduce fare capping to make transit easier to navigate and more affordable for riders.

Read More →
PATCO's New Control Center
Managementby StaffMay 7, 2026

PATCO Opens New Operations Control Center

The new center serves as the central hub for monitoring and managing PATCO train operations, communications, customer service coordination, incident response, and overall operational oversight across the transit system.

Read More →
VIA Rail Canada logo
Railby StaffMay 7, 2026

VIA Rail reports Stable Ridership, Rising Revenue Amid Ongoing Challenges

Despite these pressures, VIA Rail is reporting that total revenues increased to $514.8 million as more travelers took advantage of the wide range of options available through the corporation’s new reservation system.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SEPTA's advertisement for multi-rider feature.
Technologyby StaffMay 7, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Introduces Multi-Rider Feature for Contactless Payments

Up until now, this feature was only available when using a SEPTA Key card.

Read More →
Books with graduation mortar board
Managementby StaffMay 6, 2026

New Chicago Scholarship Program Targets Student Pathways to Construction Careers

Created in partnership with Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners, the contractor for CTA’s historic $5.7 billion RLE project, the new $250,000 scholarship program will provide three students a year from 2026 to 2030 with $3,000 scholarships.

Read More →
Steve Goodreau
Technologyby Alex RomanMay 6, 2026

Trackless Rapid Transit: Hype or Viable Option?

Steve Goodreau of WSP explores the technology’s promise, limitations and where it may fit in the evolving transit landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
New and Pre-Owned Sales 2023-2025
Motorcoachby StaffMay 6, 2026

ABA Report: Motorcoach Sales Tick Up in Q1 2026 as Market Stabilizes

The Foundation produces the report each quarter, using data collected from surveys of major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the US and Canada.

Read More →