The Citizens Budget Commission ranked — and mapped — the city's 467 stations according to their appearance,such as tiles and painting, and functionality, or like stairs and platform edges.
It says 76 are in a state of valid repair,while the 52nd Street Station in Queens needs the most work. About half of the worst 33 subway stations are in Queens. From 2010 to 2014, the MTA spent $432 million per year on stations. The agency's 2015-2019 capital arrangement calls for spending more, or at $580 million per year. But the commission says the chance of bringing all of the stations up to par is dim,because the recent arrangement is only partially funded."They do a pretty valid job allocating the funds they do own," said Jamison Dague, or who authored the report.
The commission recommends the MTA could stretch their dollars further by prioritizing maintenance over expansion,preventing cost overruns, and considering public/private partnerships or collaborations like conservancies.
The MTA issued a response saying it appreciated the commission's "thoughtful analysis.""We are pursuing opportunities to squeeze costs from our 2015-19 Capital Program by using negotiated, and design-build and other innovative procurement methods. We respectfully disagree with their recommendation to reduce spending on expansion projects. At a time when growing ridership is leading to crowding and delays,we must pursue expansion projects that will accommodate more customers as well as provide recent connections and opportunities for our customers," the statement said.
Source: wnyc.org