Chairman Crowley Urges MTA to Prioritize Expansion of Metro-North Railroad Service into the Bronx

Chairman Crowley Urges MTA to Prioritize Expansion of Metro-North Railroad Service into the Bronx

(Queens, NY) — House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) is urging the MTA to prioritize expansion of the Metro-North Railroad into the East Bronx as part of the authority’s upcoming five-year plan.

In a letter sent to MTA Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota, Chairman Crowley said bringing new transportation options to underserved communities in the East Bronx would significantly improve the lives of commuters and residents as they travel for work and leisure.

As part of his Better Deal plan for Queens and the Bronx, Chairman Crowley has proposed a slate of policies designed to improve transportation options across his district. A major plank of Chairman Crowley’s Better Deal plan is working with the MTA and state lawmakers to establish an explicit timeline for Metro-North’s expansion into the easternmost section of the Bronx. As part of this effort, Chairman Crowley’s letter to MTA Chairman Lhota reiterates that residents in the East Bronx have been forced to settle for insufficient transit options for far too long.

“Despite the many benefits of bringing Metro-North to the East Bronx, the project has languished for more than a decade,” wrote Chairman Crowley. “It is time to take concrete steps toward making this new service a reality. It’s continued inclusion in the MTA’s Capital Program is critical, as is an accelerated timeline for construction and completion. The residents of the Bronx have waited far too long.”

For more than a decade, Chairman Crowley has been fighting to bring Metro-North to the East Bronx, which would vastly improve transportation options in the area and boost the local economy. The benefits of expanded service would be immense. Currently, residents can only access a single, overcrowded subway line with exceedingly long travel times. Demand for alternative transit options is on the rise in the Bronx, demonstrated by the fact that the borough saw an increase of nearly 800,000 subway riders between 2015 and 2016.

The full text of Chairman Crowley’s letter can be read here. Chairman Crowley’s Better Deal plan for Queens and the Bronx can be read here.

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