Brian Fritsch
@bhfritsch.bsky.social
70 followers 68 following 53 posts
Associate Director for @pcac.org. I like trains. Opinions are my own.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
reinventalbany.bsky.social
NEW Report: States that voted for Trump got billions from MTA Spending

Companies in red states by U.S. Senate seats received more than $3.5 billion in MTA payments over 14 years. States that voted for Trump in 2024 received nearly $7 billion from the MTA over this period.

buff.ly/Yxt4KZ6
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Picking an anti-urban, totally cookie-cutter cul-de-sac as the background image really takes it to the next level.
bhfritsch.bsky.social
An @mtalirr.bsky.social strike is looming. In an @newsday.bsky.social op-ed @pcac.org LIRRCC Chair Gerry Bringmann calls for immediate negotiation, or many riders (especially those who can't work remotely) will face a chaotic environment and significant hardship.

www.newsday.com/opinion/comm...
LIRR labor dispute should be resolved by arbitrators
A strike, if called, will be a severe hardship for Long Island's commuters.
www.newsday.com
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
stefanoschen.bsky.social
The Long Island Rail Road, the nation's busiest commuter rail service, could have its first strike in over 30 years next week. Here's why, and also what to do if you rely on it. Free link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/n...
Long Island Rail Road Workers May Strike. Here’s What to Know.
www.nytimes.com
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Undoubtedly, but at the end of the day, the MTA is the Governor's agency, so if you give her credit for the little things, it makes asking for the big things (like a fully funded capital plan every five years) much easier.
bhfritsch.bsky.social
This is a great point. The fact that it continues to be funded is a huge win for the region. Far from guaranteed.
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Just realized I missed a golden opportunity to grab lunch with you at the legendary Don Pepi Deli yesterday. Huge oversight!
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Just Christopher Leathers, who is here again this morning
bhfritsch.bsky.social
The U.S. Government Accountability Office
bhfritsch.bsky.social
This was a super informative piece. People respond well to smart fare incentives. Who'd have guessed?
bhfritsch.bsky.social
If you wait to buy your ticket until you are on the train, TrainTime is supposed to charge you the onboard surcharge. How this will work hasn't been completely explained.
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Yeah, the two big ones are 1. the MTA's case against Trump/Duffy in front of Judge Liman in SDNY 2. Gov. Murphy's case against the MTA with Judge Gordon in NJ.
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
stefanoschen.bsky.social
Three out of four riders who use OMNY, New York's replacement for the MetroCard, said they've had problems with it, months before the two-decade old swipe card is slated to be retired. (A majority still prefer OMNY, but they have THOUGHTS)
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/n...
As MetroCard Phases Out, Riders Gripe About Its Replacement
www.nytimes.com
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Many of our survey respondents shared this concern. It's definitely compounded by the lack of info available on the OMNY website.
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
2avesag.as
The good folks at @pcac.org have published results of an OMNY survey today.

🔗: pcac.org/report/omnys...

The 392 respondents give OMNY positive marks but with a lot of room for improvement.
bhfritsch.bsky.social
I think that's right. It used to be a lot lower, but between students, seniors, and Fair Fares riders, over a million+ physical card users have been added in the last year alone
bhfritsch.bsky.social
A lot of interesting discussion here on buses today, and I hope @pcac.org's new report on BRT and what it could look like on Northern Blvd and Flatbush can add to that. There is so much we can do to improve bus service on fares and through infrastructure. Glad to finally have some momentum!
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
nyc.streetsblog.org
MTA officials have begun the process of implementing experimental "rush" bus routes never before seen in the city in a promising bid to boost connectivity and service speeds in the World’s Borough.
'Rush' Routes Debut in Queens Bus Map Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making - Streetsblog New York City
The MTA's new "rush" bus routes in Queens make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.
buff.ly
bhfritsch.bsky.social
This is potentially good news for riders. Hope they take some of @pcac.org's suggestions, plus some other good ones I've been reading in our OMNY survey.
samanthaliebman.bsky.social
#Breaking: According to @mta.info fare increase may be tied to full implementation of OMNY. Not confusing people with too many things all at once and possibly figuring out more discounts for the new payment system. That means could come next year and not this year.
@spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social
bhfritsch.bsky.social
Ah, thanks for the reminder. I wanted to check this after he mentioned it yesterday, but forgot. Yeah, it's not working yet, but I think it should be back soon.
bhfritsch.bsky.social
This de Blasio interview is terrific. I wish he'd been this open and honest with the press when he was mayor, he'd have been a lot more popular and productive.
jenniecoughlin.bsky.social
"I had endless conversations with him about what was going on in New York City. I often felt like he was talking about a place he didn’t know. I think his understanding of New York City is a bit stuck in the 1980s and ’90s. I don’t think he feels the affordability crisis."
10 Questions With Bill de Blasio About Andrew Cuomo’s Run for Mayor
www.nytimes.com