Sign in

Brian Fritsch

@bhfritsch.bsky.social
118 followers 97 following 82 posts

Associate Director for @pcac.org. I like trains. Opinions are my own.

PostsRepliesMedia
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Very happy @cmcrystalhudson.bsky.social's bill to streamline enrollment for Fair Fares and encourage NYC HRA to enroll more eligible New Yorkers is coming up for a vote in the City Council. Sent this memo of support with @ridersalliance.org @cssnyorg.bsky.social yesterday: pcac.org/nyc-council-...
pcac.org
NYC COUNCIL MEMO OF SUPPORT: Intro 0248-A (Hudson) - PCAC
A Local Law in relation to automatic enrollment of eligible individuals of the Fair Fares Program STATEMENT OF SUPPORT for…
032
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Award-Winning Reporter Dave Colon @davecolon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Janno Lieber is finally signaling an openness to offering more than the current weekly fare capping the MTA currently offers with OMNY nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/09/23/m...
nyc.streetsblog.org
MTA Chair Open To New Fare Structure Ahead Of 2027 Fare Hike - Streetsblog New York City
MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber revealed a newfound interest in expanding his agency’s fare-capping practices in the future — marking the first time the transit boss has looked beyond OMNY’s sole op...
1166
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 04/08/2026
It's time for BRT in NYC. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/08/04/n...
nyc.streetsblog.org
New York City’s Buses Are About to Grow Up - Streetsblog New York City
Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul are bringing bus rapid transit to New York City.
0244
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I wrote about NYC buses for @nyc.streetsblog.org and how to make BRT work: nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/08/04/n...
nyc.streetsblog.org
New York City’s Buses Are About to Grow Up - Streetsblog New York City
Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul are bringing bus rapid transit to New York City.
010
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Transportation Alternatives @transalt.org · 07/07/2026
NYC students are one step closer to digital student OMNY cards! This was won after over a year of organizing by our Youth Activist Committee and students across the city — but a limited pilot at select schools is not enough.
1104
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Great step in the right direction. Really pleased this significant expansion got done in a very tough budget year. Next step is to pass @cmcrystalhudson.bsky.social's bill Int. 248 to ensure NYC HRA removes the barriers to enrollment that deter so many New Yorkers.
021
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Open New York @opennewyork.org · 11/06/2026
"Monitor Point will deliver approximately 1,150 homes, with 40 percent permanently affordable." From @nyc.streetsblog.org @pcac.org: nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/06/09/o...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Opinion: 'Transit-Oriented Development' Also Means Housing That Actually Invests in Transit - Streetsblog New York City
On Quay Street in Greenpoint, the MTA has a chance to create housing and boost transit at the same time.
022
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Really timely and interesting report from the IBO on free buses and Fair Fares. Some very good work here!
031
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
🚇 Riders Alliance @ridersalliance.org · 03/06/2026
We've got less than a month to win funding to deliver affordable transit to millions of New Yorkers. Take a sec to call your @council.nyc.gov member TODAY and tell them to negotiate a budget with funding to expand Fair Fares! (we made it super easy!) 📲⇣⇣ riders.nyc/callem
riders.nyc
Rider Call Day — Take Action to Expand Fair Fares!
Rider Call Day: Call your NYC Council Member to Expand Fair Fares! Mayor Mamdani’s released an executive budget that included ZERO new funding for transit affordability, despite being at the core of t...
011
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Making Vornado CEO Steve Roth (who just compared the phrase "tax the rich" to racial slurs) and former Trump US DOT official Peter Cipriano (who helped stall the Gateway Program for multiple years) two big winners. smh. C'mon Andy.
020
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Great morning to be out at NYC City Hall rallying in support of Fair Fares expansion! Thank you to @ridersalliance.org, @cssnyorg.bsky.social for your partnership and @speakermenin.bsky.social, @cmhudson33.bsky.social and @shaunabreu.bsky.social for your incredible leadership!
Rally in support of the expansion of the Fair Fares program at NYC City Hall on Wed. May 6th 2026Rally in support of the expansion of the Fair Fares program at NYC City Hall on Wed. May 6th 2026Rally in support of the expansion of the Fair Fares program at NYC City Hall on Wed. May 6th 2026
054
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Who's blocking the bus lane? @jmartineznyc.bsky.social with a great piece shining a light on the companies responsible for slowing our buses down and making them unreliable: www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/30/u...
thecity.nyc
UPS Tops List of Bus-Lane Blockers Caught on Camera Last Year
Most of the worst offenders for lane-clogging were delivery businesses who racked up thousands of violations.
052
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Jose Martinez @jmartineznyc.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
It’s always fun when @thecity.nyc gets name-checked inside the MTA boardroom. Thank you, Mr. Brian Fritsch of @pcac.org
141
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
PCAC to the MTA @pcac.org · 19/03/2026
Congestion pricing is working! Ridership is up and growing faster than in previous years. Read our full analysis in PCAC's latest report: pcac.org/report/rider...
pcac.org
Ridership Returns: Mapping Post-Congestion Pricing Ridership Trends - PCAC
Subway ridership in 2025 grew by almost 93 million riders over 2024 to a total of nearly 1.3 billion, largely driven by the implementation of Congestion Pricing on January…
021
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Regional Plan Association @rpa.org · 19/03/2026
Very, very cool news from @pcac.org — there's been more than 90 million additional subway rides since the beginning of congestion pricing in NYC. We've already know it's raised $$ and cleared the air, but it's clear it's incentivizing transit, too!
amny.com
Congestion pricing: NYC subways saw millions more riders during Manhattan toll program’s first year, transit group finds | amNewYork
The first year of congestion pricing in New York saw straphangers take more than 90 million additional subway rides than in the previous year, a new report
0154
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Claire Valdez @claireforny.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
In the first year of congestion pricing, New York City's subway system saw 90 million additional rides 🤯 Few things better than when public policy works as designed.
amny.com
Congestion pricing: NYC subways saw millions more riders during Manhattan toll program’s first year, transit group finds | amNewYork
The first year of congestion pricing in New York saw straphangers take more than 90 million additional subway rides than in the previous year, a new report
119766
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Another bill that would significantly water down and create massive loopholes in ACE/bus lane enforcement has been introduced. Glad we at least know it exists before it's passed this go around. If you live in AM Taylor's district, voice your concern! @2avesag.as @ridersalliance.org
084
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Rachael Fauss @rachaelfauss.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Good factoid from the MTA board meeting today - $5B of the $15B in commitments for capital projects in 2025 came from congestion pricing revenues. That's huge - 2024 was their biggest year ever and shows how important CP is as a revenue stream.
2479
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 22/02/2026
The MTA has not introduced daily or monthly OMNY fare caps, even as it phased out daily and monthly MetroCards.
buff.ly
Advocates to MTA: More Fare Caps Will Be Fairer For All - Streetsblog New York City
The MTA has not introduced daily or monthly OMNY fare caps, even as it phased out daily and monthly MetroCards.
0181
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Reinvent Albany @reinventalbany.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
We joined a letter to @mayor.nyc.gov on expanding Fair Fares: 🆓 Free fares for NYers under 150% of the poverty level ✂️ 1/2 price fares for NYers 150-300% of the poverty level Thank you @pcac.org @ridersalliance.org @cssnyorg.bsky.social for leading on this. buff.ly/PDyOIeR
pcac.org
Budget Letter to Mayor Mamdani Regarding the Expansion of the Fair Fares Program - PCAC
Honorable Zohran MamdaniMayor, City of New YorkCity HallNew York, NY 10007 Dear Mayor Mamdani, At no point since the Great…
042
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Regional Plan Association @rpa.org · 06/02/2026
We have until 5pm today to restore funding for the Hudson Tunnel or risk an indefinite pause. RPA, advocates, and business and labor leaders are calling for the immediate release of the federal funding.
0135
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 05/02/2026
A self-absorbed megalomaniac in action
1353
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Really well written and comprehensive piece on the future of the Fair Fares program by @davecolon.bsky.social and our push for expansion with @ridersalliance.org and @cssnyorg.bsky.social. Let's get it done @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/02/05/b...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Budget Crunch: Advocates Push Mamdani For Massive Fair Fares Expansion - Streetsblog New York City
The expansion would offer free transit on the subway and bus for people making up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which is not a lot.
022
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
E.J. Kalafarski @ejk.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Is the Gateway Commission suing over the appropriated money that they’re holding up? They should be. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/c...
nytimes.com
Judge Hands Trump a Fifth Loss in His Effort to Halt Offshore Wind Projects
142
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Reinvent Albany @reinventalbany.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
The data shows SCOUT works. Our groups @pcac.org @rpa.org asked Gov. Hochul to make the MTA SCOUT program permanent and expand it to 20 teams in the FY26-27 budget buff.ly/D4KDB7F
045
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
PCAC to the MTA @pcac.org · 30/12/2025
"Transportation is an important piece of the affordability puzzle." PCAC Associate Director @bhfritsch.bsky.social spoke with Greg Mocker of PIX11 about the importance of expanding Fair Fares to cover minimum wage workers. youtu.be/kGPPajyO4bw?...
youtu.be
Commuters react to MTA fare hikes coming to NYC
YouTube video by PIX11 News
021
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Very proud to work on this transformative proposal for Fair Fares with @cssnyorg.bsky.social and @ridersalliance.org. Excited for the future of this program as part of the broader affordability agenda. Huge thank you to @samanthaliebman.bsky.social for covering!
031
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
I'm sad my kids are too young (and I'm too old)! Looks super fun.
010
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Community Service Society of NY @cssnyorg.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Thank you Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for citing our research & spotlighting the affordability crisis. Our report “When You Can’t Afford the Fare” shows that New Yorkers with low and even moderate incomes are struggling to afford transit. Read more cssny.us/3LXjhD6
052
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Fair Fares is a program that has yet to reach its full potential, and expansion should be at the top of the new mayor's priority list. Great speaking with @samanthaliebman.bsky.social about the many opportunities to expand the program. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...
ny1.com
Advocates believe new mayor has chance to improve Fair Fares program
Mayor Adams raised the income eligibility threshold three times.
162
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Reinvent Albany @reinventalbany.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
NEW Report: States that voted for Trump got billions from MTA Spending Companies in red states by U.S. Senate seats received more than $3.5 billion in MTA payments over 14 years. States that voted for Trump in 2024 received nearly $7 billion from the MTA over this period. buff.ly/Yxt4KZ6
45017
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
@pcac.org statement condemning @usdot.bsky.social's decision to hold NYC infrastructure and antiterrorism funds hostage. Totally infuriating and ridiculous: pcac.org/pcac-condemn...
pcac.org
PCAC Condemns USDOT’s Decision to Hold NYC Infrastructure and Antiterrorism Funds Hostage - PCAC
The White House’s edict via tweet to withhold $18 billion for the Hudson River Tunnel Project and phase two of…
0124
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
An @mtalirr.bsky.social strike is looming. In an @newsday.bsky.social op-ed @pcac.org LIRRCC Chair Gerry Bringmann calls for immediate negotiation, or many riders (especially those who can't work remotely) will face a chaotic environment and significant hardship. www.newsday.com/opinion/comm...
newsday.com
LIRR labor dispute should be resolved by arbitrators
A strike, if called, will be a severe hardship for Long Island's commuters.
030
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Stefanos Chen @stefanoschen.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
The Long Island Rail Road, the nation's busiest commuter rail service, could have its first strike in over 30 years next week. Here's why, and also what to do if you rely on it. Free link: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/n...
nytimes.com
Long Island Rail Road Workers May Strike. Here’s What to Know.
2535
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Celebrating a big CityTicket milestone @pcac.org today, nearly 25 years after we first advocated for it. Glad the @mta.info is making it permanent and the default option for rail riders. More of this, please! @simko-bednarski.bsky.social www.nydailynews.com/2025/09/08/c...
nydailynews.com
CityTicket milestone, $100 million saved, says Gov. Hochul
The MTA’s discount ticket for commuter rail riders who stay within the five boroughs has now saved straphangers over $100 million, Gov. Hochul said Monday.
1185
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Stefanos Chen @stefanoschen.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Three out of four riders who use OMNY, New York's replacement for the MetroCard, said they've had problems with it, months before the two-decade old swipe card is slated to be retired. (A majority still prefer OMNY, but they have THOUGHTS) www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/n...
nytimes.com
As MetroCard Phases Out, Riders Gripe About Its Replacement
2316
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Second Ave. Sagas @2avesag.as · 10/07/2025
The good folks at @pcac.org have published results of an OMNY survey today. 🔗: pcac.org/report/omnys... The 392 respondents give OMNY positive marks but with a lot of room for improvement.
2202
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
A lot of interesting discussion here on buses today, and I hope @pcac.org's new report on BRT and what it could look like on Northern Blvd and Flatbush can add to that. There is so much we can do to improve bus service on fares and through infrastructure. Glad to finally have some momentum!
011
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 07/07/2025
MTA officials have begun the process of implementing experimental "rush" bus routes never before seen in the city in a promising bid to boost connectivity and service speeds in the World’s Borough.
buff.ly
'Rush' Routes Debut in Queens Bus Map Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making - Streetsblog New York City
The MTA's new "rush" bus routes in Queens make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.
0121
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
This is potentially good news for riders. Hope they take some of @pcac.org's suggestions, plus some other good ones I've been reading in our OMNY survey.
011
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
This de Blasio interview is terrific. I wish he'd been this open and honest with the press when he was mayor, he'd have been a lot more popular and productive.
010
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Evan Simko-Bednarski @simko-bednarski.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Stand with them. Stand with us. Tell the private equity goons at Alden that New York needs the Daily News, and the Daily News needs a fair contract. actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
actionnetwork.org
Stand with the Daily News Union and fight for journalism in New York City
New York City has over 8 million people – but its hometown newspaper only has a unionized staff of 51. Alden Global Capital, a vulture hedge fund known as the ‘destroyer of newspapers,’ has hacked st...
241
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
PCAC to the MTA @pcac.org · 11/06/2025
Tell us about your experiences with OMNY. 🚇🚍 We want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly — as well as your MTA fare policy ideas to inform our recommendations! Fill out our brief survey here: t.co/UymPEQU2xo
t.co
https://pcac.org/omnysurvey/
052
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Issues with OMNY or thoughts about how to improve it? Take @pcac.org's survey to let us know what you think! pcac.org/omnysurvey/
pcac.org
Tell us about your OMNY experience! - PCAC
As advocates for MTA riders, we want to hear how the OMNY transition is going for you. Have you made…
011
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Inspired by @jmartineznyc.bsky.social's excellent piece on the OMNY chatbot, I spent a bit of time on my OMNY account and was pretty disappointed by how little information is available and how poorly the chatbot functions. www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/28/m...
thecity.nyc
MTA Approves Millions More for OMNY Chatbot in Buggy System
As complaints mount about the new tap-and-go cards for buses and subways, transit officials have approved $13 million extra for AI help services — on top of a nearly $600 million original contract.
140
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Probably not surprising, but I was still struck that, in the 100-or-so minutes of congestion pricing legal arguments in Federal Court this morning, almost no one discussed how well the program is working. Besides the point, I guess!
010
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Award-Winning Reporter Dave Colon @davecolon.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
The MTA has been granted a TRO preventing the federal government from taking retaliatory measures to force the agency to turn off congestion pricing
115939
Brian Fritsch @bhfritsch.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Listening to Sec. Duffy at the APTA Legislative Conference just said transit is not the ugly step-child of U.S. DOT. Very reassuring!
100
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
Azraël (עזראל) 🐉 @emilia.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Did the Federal DOT just accidentally file a letter containing legal advice from the DOJ, instead of a letter addressed to the Judge, in the MTA v Duffy case?
453292
Reposted by Brian Fritsch
PCAC to the MTA @pcac.org · 21/04/2025
PCAC's @bhfritsch.bsky.social writes in @nydailynews.com "Transit isn’t elitist; it’s the lifeblood of our city and region ... I get that’s far from the reality of Duffy’s Hayward, Wis., but from one Wisconsinite to another, it’s time to become proficient." www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/21/m...
nydailynews.com
Manhattan tolling program is working as planned
The federal government is threatening to bring back New York City’s terrible traffic.
062