Gov. Cuomo Promised a Plan to Fix the New York Subway; Critics Say it's MIA

Earlier this summer, the governor of New York promised an ambitious plan to fix the MTA subway system. Now, at the end of the promised timeline for that plan, critics are saying that the city is left with more of the same.

1 minute read

August 31, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Grand Central Station

Eo naya / Shutterstock

Dana Rubinstein follows up on some of the promised deliverables from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s declaration of a state of emergency for the New York subway system back in June 2017.

Sixty days after Gov. Cuomo promised two reports would be completed, there’s some question about whether Joseph J. Lhota, the new chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has completed that work. "Observers aren’t so sure," MTA officials have upheld their end of the bargain, writes Rubinstein.

"Shams Tarek, a spokesman for the MTA, said the two plans exist and can be found right here, in the singular subway stabilization plan released by Lhota in July," according to Rubinstein. But: "What Lhota released may be salutary for city subways, critics say, but it only bears a glancing resemblance to what was promised for a system that remains in crisis."

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in Politico New York

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners

How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

Two yellow and white Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail streetcars at station in Dallas, Texas.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region

At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

April 3, 2025 - KERA News

Two people on bikes riding down paved Burke-Gilman bike trail in King County, Washington on a sunny day.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network

The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

April 8 - Momentum Magazine

Small green ADU cottage in lush backyard in San Jose, California.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits

The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

April 8 - San Francisco Chronicle

Large oak tree in meadow with sun filtering from behind it in Angeles National Forest.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods

Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.

April 8 - ASLA The Dirt