The hidden subway that New York refuses to build | NYC is one step closer to having a mayor that actually cares about transit and people. Maybe this isn't so far-fetched now.

There's an abandoned line running from north to south through queens. My buddy and I walked a lot of it, I think it's wild nobody has done anything with it, even already having right of way, and it's above ground.

Lowest restore costs I can imagine.

It's this bright red section: https://alchetron.com/cdn/rockaway-beach-branch-ec70aaec-38ed-4eac-97c4-692868077cf-resize-750.jpeg

E: I can't believe I'm commenting on the line the video is talking about, this is awesome!

The Mayor actually has very little control over the MTA.

Control is one thing. Manufacturing PR and applying pressure through public opinion is easily inside the power of any politician.
Still, he has more influence than an assemblyman, board appointees, and a pulpit.

What do we feel about eliminating bus fares? It'll definitely improve quality of life for drivers, riders, and new riders, but how they're going to pay for that feels like a giant missed opportunity in improving rail and the subway.

Improving the subway underneath all those buildings is a multi decade adventure.
Free busses is tomorrow.
It can be both.
It gets paid for by savings in road network maintenance. More people on transit = less cars destroying everything.
- Say the average bus is 10 tons empty and the average car is 2. The fourth power law states that the bus is 625x as much wear on the roads.
  It'll reduce traffic jams, as well as empower people who can't, or can barely, afford the fare, but road maintenance? Not so sure.
  What would help more with the road network maintenance is taxing heavy vehicles. Commercial vehicles could get a bigger threshold and personal vehicles a smaller one.
- I don't think that's gonna cover much of the $600 million after eliminating fare enforcement costs.
It's not my favourite intervention to improve transit, but it does have some benefits, like reduced dwell times from faster boarding on buses.
The important thing is that it might get a candidate elected who can perform long-term improvements.