The MTA said repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to its transit systems will cost $5 billion. And preparing for the next superstorm could cost another $4 billion.
The money will come from the federal government and insurance, not fare hikes other than the March 1 increase, the MTA said.
At a City Council hearing on Tuesday about the MTA's Sandy response, New York City Transit President Tom Prendergast said his agency needs to be ready for more monster storms.
MTA officials said the authority has learned from each monster storm to hit the city in the last three years.
The December 2010 blizzard was a debacle where buses were sent out in deep snow without chains, got stuck, and blocked streets. The predicted flooding of Irene in 2011 prompted the MTA to shut down for the first time. That lesson was applied during Sandy last year.
The council members then gently inquired about future plans like coverings for subway station ventilation grids and giant rubber bubbles to cover the entrances of tunnels.
The chair of Community Board 1 said the Lower Manhattan economy needs the South Ferry station returned as soon as possible and even better preparation for the next super storm. The MTA said that in two to three months it will announce a timetable for when the station will be repaired. The MTA expects that timetable will be in less than the original two- to three-year estimate.
During the hearing, environmentalists and businessmen called for, respectively, more bicycle and ferry use.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:03:41 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:35 AM EDT2013-05-17 13:35:33 GMT
Danbury's police chief says four officers have violated the city's police rules governing rudeness and civility during a routine traffic stop and that the matter has been referred to state prosecutors.
Danbury's police chief says four officers have violated the city's police rules governing rudeness and civility during a routine traffic stop and that the matter has been referred to state prosecutors.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:05 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:05:50 GMT
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:36:00 GMT
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-15 11:19:02 GMT
New approaches are needed to combat drunken driving, which claims the lives of more than a third of the people killed annually on U.S highways
New approaches are needed to combat drunken driving, which claims the lives of more than a third of the people killed annually on U.S highways and has remained stubbornly high for the past decade and a half, a new report said.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:48 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:48:44 GMT
The Citi Bike bicycle share program funded by Citibank and run by the city starts May 2, 2013, Memorial Day. 250 CitiBike stations have been plopped down in Manhattan south of 60th Street and in Brooklyn.
The Citi Bike bicycle share program funded by Citibank and run by the city starts May 2, 2013, Memorial Day. 250 CitiBike stations have been plopped down in Manhattan south of 60th Street and in Brooklyn.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:33 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:33:34 GMT
One person was killed and four injured in an early morning crash at the Willamsburg Bridge. A 21-year-old woman was ejected from the backseat of the vehicle and was pronounced dead on the scene of the one-vehicle crash.
One person was killed and four injured in an early morning crash at the Willamsburg Bridge. A 21-year-old woman was ejected from the backseat of the vehicle and was pronounced dead on the scene of the one-vehicle crash.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:07 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:07:42 GMT
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:33:09 GMT
A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed and his father was wounded on a Jersey City street Friday night. Police say Gywan Levine Jr. and his father, Gywan Levine Sr., were walking on Rutgers Avenue
A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed and his father was wounded on a Jersey City street Friday night. Police say Gywan Levine Jr. and his father, Gywan Levine Sr., were walking on Rutgers Avenue
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:52:45 GMT
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:03:41 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:49 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:49:20 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
