A new rail service launched this week could save commuters as much as 40 minutes on trips between Long Island and Manhattan.
The Long Island Rail Road started operations to Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal this Wednesday, reports Michelle Kaske in Bloomberg CityLab, marking a milestone for the city’s transit infrastructure. The LIRR will arrive at a newly built station, Grand Central Madison, located directly below Grand Central Terminal. “The LIRR will begin limited service on Wednesday for at least three weeks with riders changing trains at the Jamaica stop in Queens during the initial launch. Direct service into Grand Central will roll out after that, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.”
Construction on the $11.1 billion project began in 2001 and faced years of delays and increased costs. Now, the MTA estimates it will save some commuters as much as 40 minutes on their daily trips. The new service could also help with overcrowding at other popular New York City transit hubs. “The transit provider anticipates about 45% of LIRR riders will choose to arrive at Grand Central, relieving persistent crowding at Penn Station.”
FULL STORY: Long Island Commuters to Arrive at Grand Central for First Time
New York MTA Makes Five Bus Routes Fare-Free
The state-funded effort is a way to assess how free fares impact ridership.
New York MTA Releases Plan for Improved Accessibility
The MTA announced plans for new or improved elevators at almost two dozen stations as part of its pledge to make more of its stations fully accessible.
New York Subway Will Pilot Platform Barriers To Improve Rider Safety
After a shocking death and an overall rise in violent crime at its stations, New York City's transit authority will install platform barriers to prevent intentional or accidental falls onto tracks.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont