Overview
- The Transit Costs Project’s A Better Billion proposes 12 projects adding 41 miles of track and 64 stations, with phased openings through 2069.
- It reallocates the proposed $1 billion per year to $850 million for expansion and $150 million for ADA upgrades, assuming $14 billion from federal New Starts and significant state support.
- Flagship projects include a Utica Avenue extension, a fully built Second Avenue Subway, the QueensLink using the Rockaway Beach Branch, and a high-frequency Cross Bronx light rail.
- The authors argue the buildout could unlock substantial housing near new lines, estimating up to roughly 167,000 homes, and they concede it would likely displace the free-bus plan.
- A mayoral spokesperson says Zohran Mamdani will pursue “fast and free” buses, while any move toward the expansion depends on Albany decisions and uncertain federal funding under current conditions.