Cuomo Unveils New Designs For NYC Subway Stations, Train Cars
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo has unveiled designs for New York City subway cars equipped with wider doors, Wi-Fi and phone charging stations, but questions remain about how the state intends to help pay for them.
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The governor said Monday that the upgrades at the Metropolitan Transit Authority represent the greatest mass transit investment in city history.
"It is the largest amount of money ever invested in the MTA Capital Plan," he said.
The $27 billion plan calls for new and upgraded subway cars and buses, better control technology and redesigned subway stations.
Thirty-one stations will be overhauled and MTA President Ronnie Hakim says the larger doors will allow passengers to move in and out at the same time.
"That will increase our ability to reduce dwell time, which is an issue that we have on crowded platforms," she said.
"Through the Enacted Budget, the State's commitment of $8.3 billion in new funding for the MTA is now law, said Abbey Fashouer, Cuomo's Deputy Press Secretary.
Transit advocates said the upgrades are vital for the city's over-crowded, aging transit system. They said that will only happen if the state follows through on its funding promises.
A Cuomo spokesman said the state's commitment has the force of state law.
The MTA says the stations will be done by 2018 and all lines will have the new cars by 2023.
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