Effective Transit Alliance
@etany.org
ETA advocates for high-quality, accessible, and forward-looking transit through internationally-inspired, technically-oriented analysis in greater New York.
Pinned
Digging Out of a Very Deep Hole: Saving Billions on 125th Street — Effective Transit Alliance New York
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B and with stations more than 100 ft underground, it would be the most expensive subway in the world, and cost riders more than 5 minutes every trip b...
www.etany.org
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B for 1.25 miles, and with stations deep underground, current plans would not only build the most expensive subway in the the world, but would cost riders valuable minutes every single trip.
It's not too late, however:
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
It's not too late, however:
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Reposted by Effective Transit Alliance
Announcement pollution is one of those things that’s a huge problem but complaining about it sounds like nitpicking. It’s a respect and safety issue.
Training riders to tune out announcements has consequences when you finally announce something important!
Training riders to tune out announcements has consequences when you finally announce something important!
ETA measured that on a 40 minutes trip from one end of the 7 train to another, nearly a full 25% of the time was filled by announcements.
That makes it hard to talk with traveling companions, read a book, or even just travel in solitude.
That makes it hard to talk with traveling companions, read a book, or even just travel in solitude.
September 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Announcement pollution is one of those things that’s a huge problem but complaining about it sounds like nitpicking. It’s a respect and safety issue.
Training riders to tune out announcements has consequences when you finally announce something important!
Training riders to tune out announcements has consequences when you finally announce something important!
The New York Groove sat down with ETA to discuss the onslaught of unnecessary announcements facing NY riders. This type of noise pollution not only annoys riders, but trains them to not listen to announcements.
As the NY Groove's tag puts it, "Better Things are Possible."
As the NY Groove's tag puts it, "Better Things are Possible."
September 10, 2026 at 7:57 PM
The New York Groove sat down with ETA to discuss the onslaught of unnecessary announcements facing NY riders. This type of noise pollution not only annoys riders, but trains them to not listen to announcements.
As the NY Groove's tag puts it, "Better Things are Possible."
As the NY Groove's tag puts it, "Better Things are Possible."
Reposted by Effective Transit Alliance
On the Berlin S-Bahn and the London Underground, the proportion is about half that.
ETA measured that on a 40 minutes trip from one end of the 7 train to another, nearly a full 25% of the time was filled by announcements.
That makes it hard to talk with traveling companions, read a book, or even just travel in solitude.
That makes it hard to talk with traveling companions, read a book, or even just travel in solitude.
September 9, 2026 at 6:04 PM
On the Berlin S-Bahn and the London Underground, the proportion is about half that.
Transit in New York is just too damn loud.
The seemingly-endless onslaught of announcements not only annoys riders, but impairs accessibility, making navigating transit far more difficult than it needs to be.
ETA discusses how to let riders travel in peace:
www.etany.org/briefs/too-d...
The seemingly-endless onslaught of announcements not only annoys riders, but impairs accessibility, making navigating transit far more difficult than it needs to be.
ETA discusses how to let riders travel in peace:
www.etany.org/briefs/too-d...
September 9, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Transit in New York is just too damn loud.
The seemingly-endless onslaught of announcements not only annoys riders, but impairs accessibility, making navigating transit far more difficult than it needs to be.
ETA discusses how to let riders travel in peace:
www.etany.org/briefs/too-d...
The seemingly-endless onslaught of announcements not only annoys riders, but impairs accessibility, making navigating transit far more difficult than it needs to be.
ETA discusses how to let riders travel in peace:
www.etany.org/briefs/too-d...
Extending the Second Avenue Subway is a great idea, but the price is way out of line.
Read more: www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Read more: www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Digging Out of a Very Deep Hole: Saving Billions on 125th Street — Effective Transit Alliance New York
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B and with stations more than 100 ft underground, it would be the most expensive subway in the world, and cost riders more than 5 minutes every trip b...
www.etany.org
August 28, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Extending the Second Avenue Subway is a great idea, but the price is way out of line.
Read more: www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Read more: www.etany.org/reports/digg...
TONIGHT, August 28, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks, August!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Tonight, Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Tonight, Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
August 28, 2026 at 6:54 PM
TONIGHT, August 28, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks, August!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Tonight, Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Tonight, Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
This Friday, August 28, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks, August!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
August 25, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This Friday, August 28, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks, August!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy.
Friday, August 28
6-8 PM
Vanderbilt Market
Vanderbilt Avenue & 45 Street
Behind Grand Central
All are welcome!
According to a CB10 presentation in June, it appears the @mta.info may have reverted its plans to make 116 St on Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway an elevator-only station with a below-platform mezzanine. It now appears to be a standard above-platform mezzanine with escalators.
August 22, 2026 at 5:10 PM
According to a CB10 presentation in June, it appears the @mta.info may have reverted its plans to make 116 St on Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway an elevator-only station with a below-platform mezzanine. It now appears to be a standard above-platform mezzanine with escalators.
Extending the Second Avenue Subway west along 125th St to Columbia University is a no-brainer, on paper at least. #sas #saswest #mta #nycpoli
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Digging Out of a Very Deep Hole: Saving Billions on 125th Street — Effective Transit Alliance New York
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B and with stations more than 100 ft underground, it would be the most expensive subway in the world, and cost riders more than 5 minutes every trip b...
www.etany.org
August 21, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Extending the Second Avenue Subway west along 125th St to Columbia University is a no-brainer, on paper at least. #sas #saswest #mta #nycpoli
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Reposted by Effective Transit Alliance
The MTA could halve the $7.7 billion price tag for the planned subway extension along 125th Street — but only if its leaders have the will to use “cut-and-cover” techniques to build shallower and smaller stations more in line with peer cities. buff.ly/sH1eo4b
Shallower, Smaller Stations Could Cut 125th Street Subway Costs In Half: Report - Streetsblog New York City
The MTA could halve the $7.7 billion price tag for the planned 125th Street subway if it's willing to use "cut-and-cover" construction.
nyc.streetsblog.org
August 19, 2026 at 12:30 PM
The MTA could halve the $7.7 billion price tag for the planned subway extension along 125th Street — but only if its leaders have the will to use “cut-and-cover” techniques to build shallower and smaller stations more in line with peer cities. buff.ly/sH1eo4b
Reposted by Effective Transit Alliance
This is such an impressive report, every paragraph is just a wealth of information. Here's a random one:
August 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM
This is such an impressive report, every paragraph is just a wealth of information. Here's a random one:
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B for 1.25 miles, and with stations deep underground, current plans would not only build the most expensive subway in the the world, but would cost riders valuable minutes every single trip.
It's not too late, however:
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
It's not too late, however:
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Digging Out of a Very Deep Hole: Saving Billions on 125th Street — Effective Transit Alliance New York
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B and with stations more than 100 ft underground, it would be the most expensive subway in the world, and cost riders more than 5 minutes every trip b...
www.etany.org
August 19, 2026 at 12:09 PM
A 125 St subway should be a slam dunk. But at $7.7B for 1.25 miles, and with stations deep underground, current plans would not only build the most expensive subway in the the world, but would cost riders valuable minutes every single trip.
It's not too late, however:
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
It's not too late, however:
www.etany.org/reports/digg...
Today, ETA is happy to announce the launch of its newsletter!
Take a look at the first edition to find out what we’ve been up to in the past couple months, get the latest scoop on Penn Through-Running, and keep tabs on what’s ahead in transit.
mailchi.mp/2499ad698d30...
Take a look at the first edition to find out what we’ve been up to in the past couple months, get the latest scoop on Penn Through-Running, and keep tabs on what’s ahead in transit.
mailchi.mp/2499ad698d30...
August 6, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Today, ETA is happy to announce the launch of its newsletter!
Take a look at the first edition to find out what we’ve been up to in the past couple months, get the latest scoop on Penn Through-Running, and keep tabs on what’s ahead in transit.
mailchi.mp/2499ad698d30...
Take a look at the first edition to find out what we’ve been up to in the past couple months, get the latest scoop on Penn Through-Running, and keep tabs on what’s ahead in transit.
mailchi.mp/2499ad698d30...
This morning, ETA commented to the MTA board on it's study extending LIRR electrification to the new Yaphank-BNL station.
It's exciting to see electrification of commuter rail, however we urge the agency to study more cost-effective catenary for extensions.
www.etany.org/statements/y...
It's exciting to see electrification of commuter rail, however we urge the agency to study more cost-effective catenary for extensions.
www.etany.org/statements/y...
July 29, 2026 at 8:32 PM
This morning, ETA commented to the MTA board on it's study extending LIRR electrification to the new Yaphank-BNL station.
It's exciting to see electrification of commuter rail, however we urge the agency to study more cost-effective catenary for extensions.
www.etany.org/statements/y...
It's exciting to see electrification of commuter rail, however we urge the agency to study more cost-effective catenary for extensions.
www.etany.org/statements/y...
TONIGHT, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks July!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday July 24, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday July 24, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
July 24, 2026 at 6:31 PM
TONIGHT, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks July!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday July 24, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday July 24, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
Big news for regional transit: FRA’s Phase 1 report confirms that through-running can boost Penn Station’s capacity without expansion.
ETA examined why this is a good first step—and why, with the operational changes of Phase 2, its true potential is even greater.
www.etany.org/statements/f...
ETA examined why this is a good first step—and why, with the operational changes of Phase 2, its true potential is even greater.
www.etany.org/statements/f...
July 22, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Big news for regional transit: FRA’s Phase 1 report confirms that through-running can boost Penn Station’s capacity without expansion.
ETA examined why this is a good first step—and why, with the operational changes of Phase 2, its true potential is even greater.
www.etany.org/statements/f...
ETA examined why this is a good first step—and why, with the operational changes of Phase 2, its true potential is even greater.
www.etany.org/statements/f...
ICYMI, this week Manhattan BP Brad Hoylman-Sigal held a forum on through-running for Penn Station.
Watch ETA's executive director Blair Lorenzo, the RPA's Tom Wright, and NYU Wagner's Polly Trottenberg debate how through-running can improve service and capacity:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Watch ETA's executive director Blair Lorenzo, the RPA's Tom Wright, and NYU Wagner's Polly Trottenberg debate how through-running can improve service and capacity:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Penn Station Through-Running Town Hall
YouTube video by Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal
www.youtube.com
July 18, 2026 at 5:53 PM
ICYMI, this week Manhattan BP Brad Hoylman-Sigal held a forum on through-running for Penn Station.
Watch ETA's executive director Blair Lorenzo, the RPA's Tom Wright, and NYU Wagner's Polly Trottenberg debate how through-running can improve service and capacity:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Watch ETA's executive director Blair Lorenzo, the RPA's Tom Wright, and NYU Wagner's Polly Trottenberg debate how through-running can improve service and capacity:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Reposted by Effective Transit Alliance
The fundamental math of @etany.org 's thru-running proposal.
There are 11 platforms at Penn. Assume 10 minutes per train. That adds up to 66 trains per hour, easily enough to handle the 48 tph of the Gateway tunnels.
Lots of caveats and complexities but that’s the basic plan.
There are 11 platforms at Penn. Assume 10 minutes per train. That adds up to 66 trains per hour, easily enough to handle the 48 tph of the Gateway tunnels.
Lots of caveats and complexities but that’s the basic plan.
July 15, 2026 at 1:27 PM
The fundamental math of @etany.org 's thru-running proposal.
There are 11 platforms at Penn. Assume 10 minutes per train. That adds up to 66 trains per hour, easily enough to handle the 48 tph of the Gateway tunnels.
Lots of caveats and complexities but that’s the basic plan.
There are 11 platforms at Penn. Assume 10 minutes per train. That adds up to 66 trains per hour, easily enough to handle the 48 tph of the Gateway tunnels.
Lots of caveats and complexities but that’s the basic plan.
Last night, ETA's Blair Lorenzo sat down with Manhattan BP Brad Hoylman-Sigal and others to argue that not only is through-running possible, but it would improve capacity at Penn Station while also building a regional transit network.
Watch here!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Watch here!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Penn Station Through-Running Town Hall
YouTube video by Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Last night, ETA's Blair Lorenzo sat down with Manhattan BP Brad Hoylman-Sigal and others to argue that not only is through-running possible, but it would improve capacity at Penn Station while also building a regional transit network.
Watch here!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
Watch here!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms3i...
We hope to see you tonight!
(NOTE: the location has shifted to the nearby Katie Murphy Ampitheatre, 300 7 Av at 28th St.)
(NOTE: the location has shifted to the nearby Katie Murphy Ampitheatre, 300 7 Av at 28th St.)
TOMORROW NIGHT, join us for a discussion on through-running and the future of Penn Station.
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
July 14, 2026 at 3:25 PM
We hope to see you tonight!
(NOTE: the location has shifted to the nearby Katie Murphy Ampitheatre, 300 7 Av at 28th St.)
(NOTE: the location has shifted to the nearby Katie Murphy Ampitheatre, 300 7 Av at 28th St.)
TOMORROW NIGHT, join us for a discussion on through-running and the future of Penn Station.
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
July 13, 2026 at 9:16 PM
TOMORROW NIGHT, join us for a discussion on through-running and the future of Penn Station.
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
Next Tuesday, 7/14, join us for a discussion on through-running and the future of Penn Station.
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
July 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Next Tuesday, 7/14, join us for a discussion on through-running and the future of Penn Station.
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join the RPA's Tom Wright & NYU's Polly Trottenberg to discuss how to build a better transit future for greater New York!
Register here:
bpbhs.com/ThroughRunning
What's the future of Penn Station & commuter rail in greater NY?
Join us next Tuesday, 7/14 @ 5:30PM for the Manhattan BP's forum on through-running, the international standard for regional rail!
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join Polly Trottenberg & Tom Wright to discuss our transit future.
Join us next Tuesday, 7/14 @ 5:30PM for the Manhattan BP's forum on through-running, the international standard for regional rail!
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join Polly Trottenberg & Tom Wright to discuss our transit future.
July 6, 2026 at 5:29 PM
What's the future of Penn Station & commuter rail in greater NY?
Join us next Tuesday, 7/14 @ 5:30PM for the Manhattan BP's forum on through-running, the international standard for regional rail!
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join Polly Trottenberg & Tom Wright to discuss our transit future.
Join us next Tuesday, 7/14 @ 5:30PM for the Manhattan BP's forum on through-running, the international standard for regional rail!
ETA's Blair Lorenzo will join Polly Trottenberg & Tom Wright to discuss our transit future.
TONIGHT, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks June!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday June 26, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday June 26, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
June 26, 2026 at 6:07 PM
TONIGHT, come join ETA for TOD: Transit-Oriented Drinks June!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday June 26, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!
Join us for drinks, transit discussion, and transit advocacy!
TONIGHT Friday June 26, 2026
from 6-8pm
at Vanderbilt Market
45th & Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.
All are welcome!