What's happening
This bill directs the MTA to study the feasibility and benefits of sharing the proposed Triboro rail line between public transit and freight services.
Why it matters
Potential for Improved Outer Borough Connectivity. By studying how to combine public transit and freight on the Triboro line, the MTA could identify ways to offer more direct rail service across the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn—potentially reducing travel times and improving transit options for communities currently underserved by subways.
Impact on Freight Movement and Local Economies. The study will consider the effects of increased freight capacity and how this could support local businesses, reduce truck traffic, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, potentially leading to cleaner air and economic growth in the outer boroughs.
Feasibility and Implementation Challenges. The legislation requires a detailed look at operational logistics, such as how passenger and freight trains can safely and efficiently share tracks, station locations, service frequency, and phased rollouts—highlighting the complexity and potential hurdles of such a project.
Transparency and Accountability. By mandating a public report within one year, the bill aims to keep policymakers and the public informed about the findings, expected benefits, costs, and actionable steps, helping to ensure that any future investments are based on clear evidence and planning.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Study Triboro Rail for Transit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.434
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Triboro Rail Transit
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Latrice Walker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7124
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT directing the metropolitan transportation authority to study the feasibility of co-mingling public transit and freight service on the proposed Triboro line along the rail right-of-way running from Co-op City in the Bronx, through Queens, and terminating in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 1. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority shall conduct a study to explore the use of the Triboro rail line as a co-mingled public transit and freight line, exploring the reduction of travel time for residents and an increase in quality of life for outer borough residents.
2. The study shall cover the full extent of the corridor which includes Amtrak's ownership in the Bronx south over the Hell Gate bridge, CSX's Fremont Secondary line south to Fresh Pond Junction, and the Long Island Rail Road's Bay Ridge branch operated by New York and Atlantic Railway.
3. Such study shall examine the challenges, opportunities, and feasibility of co-mingling public transit and freight service along the Triboro rail line.
4. Within one year of the effective date of this act, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority shall issue a report of its findings on the feasibility and benefits of co-mingling public transit and freight service along the Triboro rail line to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly of the state of New York. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) the populations served and ridership expected to benefit from public transit on the Triboro rail line;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13049-02-9
S. 7124 2
(b) the potential transit travel time reductions, greenhouse gas reductions, and economic benefits expected from the public transit service on the Triboro rail line;
(c) the locations of potential stations, frequency and span of service expected to run daily along the Triboro rail line;
(d) the operational segments (in phases) to get service started; schedules needed for co-mingling with freight; expected freight expansion and impacts to service; and
(e) any actions that can be implemented by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority immediately, a plan of action for such implementation, and the estimated cost of such implementation plan.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act directing the metropolitan transportation authority to study the feasibility of co-mingling public transit and freight service on the proposed Triboro line along the rail right-of-way running from Co-op City in the Bronx, through Queens, and terminating in Bay Ridge, Brook- lyn
Purpose or general idea of bill
Relates to requiring the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to study the feasibility of co-mingling public transit and freight on the Triboro line along the rail right-of-way running from Co-op City in the Bronx, through Queens, and terminating in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Justification
Limited access to public transportation and slow bus speeds mean resi- dents in the outer boroughs of NYC have to take circuitous routes for inter-borough travel outside of Manhattan. The purpose of this legis- lation is to have the MTA undertake a feasibility study of the rail right-of-way (RoW) that runs from Co-op City in the Bronx through Queens and into Brooklyn ending at Bay Ridge. This RoW has mixed-ownership, including Amtrak, CSX, and Long Island Rail Road, and runs 24 miles. The study will look at several factors, including the feasibility of co-min- gling public transit and freight; coordination with existing transit, including subways and buses; greenhouse gas reduction and economic impacts; frequency and span of service; fare integration; operational segments; schedule coordination; and other variables necessary to ensure a successful expansion of public transit to improve the quality of life of outer borough riders. The RoW is predominantly grade separate already, and has some existing infrastructure in place. The expansion project could be undertaken at a fraction of the cost of expanded subways and create service along a corridor in desperate need of options. The Triboro project can improve economic vitality in the outer boroughs, show how new forms of transit can help create a more reliable and resilient transit system, and put us on a path where all New Yorkers are better connected.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None of significance noted.
Effective date
This law will take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.