MTA's On-Time Performance in April the Best in Five Years

New York trains are running on time more often because of additional vacuum trains, according to the New York MTA.

1 minute read

July 20, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Queens Transit Station

Ryan DeBerardinis / Shutterstock

The MTA had good news when it announced it achieved an 82% on-time rate for April 2019, the best rate since October of 2013. On-time rates are one important indicator of the quality of service and it’s been an issue that has been dogging the agency. "Subway performance crashed at the start of 2013, measured at just 58% that January. The MTA credits its Subway Action Plan, launched in summer 2017, with much of the improvements," reports Ryan Deffenbaugh.

A subway plan launched six months ago included the deployment of more vacuum trains that suck up trash from the tracks that had in the past caused fires. According to the agency, much of the improvement in on-time performance has been due to removing this debris more efficiently.

Thursday, July 11, 2019 in Crains New York Business

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Colorful high-saturation view of downtown Houston, Texas with pink and blue dusk sky

Transforming Downtowns Into Functional Neighborhoods

Rather than ‘monofunctional’ business districts or urban playgrounds, American downtown districts could become multipurpose neighborhoods.

May 25, 2023 - Wired

Blue and white Interstate 15 North sign against backdrop of blue sky and snow-capped mountains in Utah

Utah DOT Plans to Expand Interstate Despite Local Concerns

With more evidence pointing to the futility of expanding freeways, the state could take a creative approach to improving travel times and providing additional transportation options.

38 minutes ago - The Salt Lake Tribune

Close-up of lead water pipe with mineral crusts

An Equity Approach to Lead Pipe Replacement

A former Chicago health commissioner calls on governments to prioritize the most marginalized and historically disinvested communities when distributing funding to replace lead pipes, which have taken the highest toll on the health of disadvantaged c

2 hours ago - Governing

View of wetlands in South Carolina at sunrise or sunset

Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power

A recent ruling ‘dramatically’ restricts the law’s reach when it comes to protecting wetlands.

3 hours ago - Politico

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.