The MTA is shopping for hundreds of electric buses — and the means to charge them

Plus: The Bronx is getting a 7-mile waterfront path [FORWARD TO A FRIEND]( [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [DONATE]( [WNYC Politics Brief] The MTA is shopping for hundreds of electric buses — and the means to keep them charged Plus: The Bronx is getting a new 7-mile path along the Harlem River. Nearly a dozen subway stations have been deep-cleaned and beautified this year. And New Jersey's oldest bus company plans to end its commuter service unless the state steps in. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- [two blue MTA electric buses] Darren McGee/Gov. Kathy Hochul's office/Flickr The MTA is hoping to order [470 electric buses with an option to increase the number to 950]( according to solicitation documents released by the agency. The purchase is part of the agency's current capital plan, which [allocates $1.1 billion]( for electric buses and would help the MTA stay on track to run a fully electric bus fleet by 2040. Rachel Weinberger of the Regional Plan Association said if the city and MTA work together to make the streets more hospitable for buses, it could be a much more efficient way to move people around — and the bus could shed its "loser cruiser" reputation. In 2019, the MTA banned vehicles on parts of 14th street. Afterward, bus ridership increased and trip speeds increased as well. "We see some evidence here already in the 14th Street bus corridor, which I think is working very effectively," she said. "It really [can be] a superior mode of transport." The MTA is also seeking information about "battery trailer systems," technology that would be portable enough to power up buses on the street. In a public request document, the agency noted it’s looking for something that can provide backup power and store solar energy in case a depot’s power goes down. — [Reporting by Stephen Nessen]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- NYC plans new waterfront path along Harlem River in the Bronx [an aerial view of the Harlem River in the Bronx] Nisian Hughes/Getty Images A new [seven-mile pedestrian and bike path]( is planned for the Bronx waterfront, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday. The city aims to expand the Harlem River Greenway — which is currently only built out in Manhattan — on the Bronx side of the river from Randall's Island up to Van Cortlandt Park. Adams said the plan would restore shoreline space that was eliminated by the construction of the Major Deegan Expressway, which has hindered waterfront access in the Bronx since it opened in the 1950s. "We have over 500 miles of waterfront in this city and all of it should be explored," Adams said. "All of it should be developed for people to walk, for people to ride, for people to just be encouraged to experience the outdoors." Officials do not yet have a timeline for the project. Adams said the city will hold three public workshops starting next month to [seek input]( from residents on the plan. — [Reporting by Bahar Ostadan]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- Here's what else is happening The MTA said 11 subway stations have undergone deep cleanings and cosmetic repairs this year, with another 30 scheduled to get touched up by the end of 2023. The "Station Re-NEW-vation Program," which launched in 2022 with nine station makeovers along the D line, also involves replacing tiles and repairing damaged concrete. ([AM New York]( MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers on Monday seized 20 cars belonging to serial toll evaders. Culprits in the Verrazzano Bridge crackdown owed a combined $600,000 in unpaid tolls and fees. ([Patch]( The city's Department of Transportation might widen bike lanes to make more room for e-bikes. Officials said wider lanes — as well as passing zones and cargo bike loading zones — are up for consideration as part of Mayor Adams' broader e-bike safety plan. ([Streetsblog]( New Jersey is considering a state bailout, among other options, in response to DeCamp Bus Lines' announcement that it's ending its commuter service. The 150-year-old family-run transit company, which had an agreement to operate 50 NJ Transit buses to and from New York City, would return those buses if the state doesn't provide funds to keep service running. ([NJ.com]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- And Finally: A voice you can trust [a video of the crosswalk device that speaks with a New York accent]( [@danrivoli/Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential election coverage and more. [DONATE]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [WNYC]( [WQXR]( [NJPR]( [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 All rights reserved. [Terms of Use.]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( from this list