Warm wishes for Eid to those observing. May this special time bring happiness, gratitude, and moments of togetherness with family and friends.

Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, speaking at IATR’s 37th Annual Conference in Ft. Lauderdale

Ridership growth on the New York City Subway more than doubled in 2025 from 2024, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) found in a new report released today entitled: Ridership Returns: Mapping Post-Congestion Pricing Ridership Trends. Largely driven by the implementation of the Congestion Relief program, almost 93 million more subway trips were taken in 2025 than in 2024, bringing overall ridership to 1.3 billion. This 7.7% rider increase was up from 3.7% in 2024, showing a strong bounce back a year after slowing post-pandemic growth. 

Looking station-by-station at ridership trends across the city, PCAC identified and mapped neighborhoods and subway stations where growth far outpaced the average, and examined both overall ridership trends and those in the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ), as defined by the area below 60th Street in Manhattan. The report also found that weekend ridership growth continued to outpace weekday ridership, especially outside Manhattan. The rider advocacy group also makes a number of recommendations for data-driven service improvements the MTA should consider implementing as ridership growth continues.

“Our rider councils have long wondered how the implementation of the Congestion Pricing would impact ridership around New York City,” said Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. “While it’s not possible to ascribe all the ridership increases last year to the start of the program, clear trends have emerged that show the program’s influence on ridership increases, which we detail. We hope our report illuminates yet another aspect of the congestion pricing program that has positive implications for the MTA and New York City, and hope the agency will continue to support the ever-increasing number of frequent riders through enhanced fare incentives and programs that continue to make transit the most affordable way to get around our city and region. Above all: Congestion Pricing is working!”

Created by the New York State Legislature in 1981, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) represents transit and commuter rail riders in the 12-county MTA region. PCAC regularly researches issues, recommends viable solutions, and advocates on behalf of the region’s subway, bus and Staten Island Railway riders, and Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad commuters through its three rider councils – the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council (LIRRCC), the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC), and the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC). These councils and their non-voting MTA Board members were created to serve as the official independent voice for users of the MTA system in the development and implementation of policy, and to hold the MTA Board and management accountable to riders.

Click Here to Read The Full Report!

Image: Belfast Media

The Department for Infrastructure has launched a public consultation to seek feedback on the current Experimental Traffic Control Scheme which permits taxis to use some bus lanes in Belfast city centre.

The ongoing Experimental Scheme will also be extended for a further six months to enable departmental officials to monitor the effectiveness of the scheme since the reopening of Durham Street. 

A DfI spokesperson said: “As the Experimental Scheme permitting taxis to use some city centre bus lanes has been in place for a period of time, we are keen to hear views from interested parties. The public consultation now open will provide road users and key stakeholders with the opportunity to express their views and make representations for the Department to consider in our future decision-making on this issue. The Department will also continue to monitor the effectiveness of the scheme and the impact on road users.

“An online survey is available at: Taxis in bus lane Citizen Space survey and we encourage people to respond by 5pm on Wednesday 10 June 2026.”

Source: BelfastMedia

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Cities Explore Novel Arrangements to Charge Electric Fleets

It could happen at a Tesla Supercharger plaza at a shopping center. This public-sector charging model is being developed by Pasadena, Calif., where officials are devising additional charging options for the growing EV fleet and looking for opportunities to increase resiliency as a part of disaster planning.

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Uber Taps Rivian to Build Robotaxis in Deal Worth Up to $1.25B

Uber is kicking off the partnership with an initial $300 million investment in Rivian, and is “expected to purchase 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis” ahead of a planned rollout in San Francisco and Miami in 2028. Uber will have the option to buy up to 40,000 more autonomous R2 SUVs from Rivian starting in 2030. The two companies said they plan to launch the robotaxis in “25 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by the end of 2031.” The fleet will be exclusively available on Uber’s network, according to the companies.

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Feds Intensify Investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Software

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) said on Thursday that it has upgraded the probe it launched in October 2024 to what’s known as an “engineering analysis,” its highest level of scrutiny. It’s a step that is often required before the agency tells a company to issue a recall.

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As Canada Slows Down on Robotaxis, China Accelerates Their Development

In recent months, Canadian authorities have raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of autonomous vehicle technology. The nation’s regulatory body, Transport Canada, announced a temporary halt on new robotaxi permits as it evaluates existing frameworks and safety protocols. This decision was largely influenced by rising accidents involving autonomous vehicles and public apprehension surrounding their integration into everyday life.

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BC Transit to Unveil New $3.8-Million, User-Friendly Website This Spring

According to BC Transit, the new platform has been shaped heavily by public input gathered throughout the project’s planning phase. Public transit riders from across the province contributed feedback through surveys, usability testing and engagement sessions, helping identify common challenges and priorities for improvement.

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Montreal Airport Fully Operational after Suspicious Package Temporarily Closes Runway

A suspicious package temporarily reduced air traffic at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on Wednesday, but operations have now returned to normal. "The investigation conducted by local law enforcement has concluded and has been found to be unfounded," said Eric Forest, spokesperson Aéroports de Montréal.

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Bolt and Nvidia to Build AI Backbone for European Robotaxis

Under the partnership, Bolt will combine data from its ride-hailing and car-sharing operations across more than 50 countries with Nvidia’s AI infrastructure to accelerate AV deployment on European roads, forming part of its broader ambition to build a full-stack autonomous mobility platform.

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Leeds Rolls Out UK’s First E-Scooter Trial in Five Years

British micromobility operator Beryl is introducing an initial fleet of 100 e-scooters, expanding on its existing LNER Beryl Bike Scheme that has operated in the city since 2023. 

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Attica Taxi Strike Continues – Taxi Drivers in Other Regions Return to Work

Attica taxi drivers were pressing ahead with their strike action on Thursday, signaling that the sector will remain on the streets in protest against the provisions of the Ministry of Transport’s new bill.

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Electric Boat Taxi Service Launches on Bangkok’s Historic Canals

TTA Mariner Co. (TMC) and MuvMi have introduced a new electric boat taxi service for commuting within Bangkok’s old town waterways. Operating daily from 09.00 to 17.00, the current fleet consists of eight electric boats. Each vessel accommodates up to six passengers and travels at an average speed of 12 kilometres per hour.

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CCI Dismisses Complaint against Rapido over Bike Taxi Services Using Private Vehicles

The Competition Commission of India dismissed a complaint against Rapido, stating the allegations relate to transport law violations and do not establish any prima facie case under competition law.

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New South Wales: $3K Fines for Taxi Drivers Who Refuse Subsidy for Passengers with Disabilities

Passengers who use the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) say they often being refused a ride because they were unable to take their subsidy card or docket. There was no penalty for drivers because they were not refusing a fare, only the payment method. Now drivers will be fined $ 3,000 for knocking TTSS back paper dockets or smartcards, as well as for other interstate subsidy schemes.

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Image: NYMTC

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) has released its 2025 Annual Report, titled Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Transportation Innovation, offering a comprehensive look at the projects, policies, and planning efforts shaping transportation across New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley. Although the report reflects 2025 activities, its recent release in 2026 provides a timely snapshot of how the region is advancing major infrastructure investments, coordinating across agencies, and preparing for long-term mobility challenges. As the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, NYMTC continues to play a central role in guiding the use of billions in transportation funding and aligning regional priorities.

Matt Daus, President of the IATR, said, “Congratulations to my friend Adam Levine, Executive Director of NYMTC, and the entire team on the release of this report. It highlights the critical role regional planning plays in delivering smart, coordinated investments across our transportation system. From advancing major capital projects to supporting data-driven, community-focused decision-making, this work is essential to ensuring a more efficient, equitable, and sustainable future for mobility in the New York metropolitan region.”

A major highlight of the report is the adoption of NYMTC’s “Moving Forward 2055” Regional Transportation Plan and the 2026–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which together program more than $39 billion across over 900 projects. These investments span transit, roadways, bridges, and active transportation, with a strong emphasis on safety, accessibility, and sustainability. By coordinating federal, state, and local funding, NYMTC ensures that projects are not only fiscally sound but also responsive to the region’s evolving transportation needs.

The report also underscores several high-profile accomplishments from the past year, including the launch of New York City’s congestion pricing program, which has already delivered measurable reductions in traffic and new revenue for transit improvements. Additional initiatives—ranging from major transit expansions like the Second Avenue Subway and Interborough Express to climate resilience investments and new technologies—highlight a continued push toward a more modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable transportation system.

Source: New York Metropolitan Transportation Council

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