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October 23, 2024|Passenger

Transit Briefs: Station Yards, NYMTA, NJ Transit, KC Streetcar

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
(Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)
The next phase of Station Yards, a transit-oriented development spanning 53 acres around the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station, is unveiled. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new campaign showcasing workers behind public transit; NJ Transit hosts its second large-scale public transportation event workshop in advance of FIFA World Cup 2026; and the KC Streetcar resumes service.

Station Yards

Governor Kathy Hochul on Oct. 22 celebrated the grand opening of Station Yards, a state-of-the-art, mixed-use development in Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County on Long Island.

Also known as the Ronkonkoma Hub, Station Yards is a transformative transit-oriented development spanning 53 acres around the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. The $1.2 billion project, led by TRITEC Real Estate Company, “is revitalizing the area by integrating housing, office and retail spaces, creating a dynamic urban center that caters to modern living and working needs,” according to the Office of the Governor.

(Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Station Yards is taking shape in phases around one of Long Island’s key transportation hubs. Upon completion, it will encompass 1,450 residential units, 360,000 square feet of office space, and 195,000 square feet of retail space. The first phase, Alston Station Yards, delivered 489 residential units in 2020. The second phase, The Core, will introduce an additional 388 homes, expand retail and office spaces by 67,000 and 16,500 square feet respectively, and feature a public plaza alongside more than 1,200 parking spaces.

Situated at a crucial intersection of transportation networks, the development benefits from its proximity to Exit 60 of the Long Island Expressway and Long Island MacArthur Airport. It also leverages its proximity to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station—Suffolk County’s busiest and Long Island’s second busiest—which serves 17,000 daily commuters with express routes to both Penn Station and Grand Central Station. This strategic location, the Office of the Governor says, “enhances the project’s vision of a vibrant, walkable community where residential, commercial and public spaces seamlessly integrate.”

In 2017, Empire State Development provided support for the project with a $55 million capital grant, “underscoring the State’s commitment to innovative, community-focused development.” This investment is part of a broader strategy to revitalize communities across New York State through targeted, transformative projects. Station Yards, according to the Office of the Governor, is projected to generate more than 10,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs, “providing a significant boost to local employment opportunities.” By offering a mix of housing options near a major transit hub, the development addresses critical housing needs while advancing New York State’s goals for sustainable urban development.

NYMTA

The New York MTA on Oct. 22 launched a campaign highlighting transit workers that keep New York City moving every day.

The campaign, “I Move NY,” will feature subway and bus worker profiles highlighting personal stories and providing insight into the everyday lives of bus operators, subway conductors, station agents, maintenance workers and other public-facing workers. 

(NYMTA)

“As transit employees play a critical role in the function of New York City and are the backbone of the public transit system, it is essential the public recognizes them not just as workers but as valued members of the community,” NYMTA noted. The campaign will feature a series of profiles that showcase these workers’ backgrounds and interests, including fun facts such as their favorite desserts and hobbies. The campaign will also include physical signage on buses, digital signage on the subway, and video content across the agency’s social media channels.

“Mass transit is like air and water for this city, and it would not be possible without the hardworking employees behind it,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “By sharing their stories, we’re bridging a gap between transit workers and the communities they serve. This campaign is an opportunity to foster greater appreciation and respect for transit workers and their contributions to the fabric of our daily lives and the city as a whole.”

NJ Transit

In advance of hosting the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 finals and FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, along with additional matches at MetLife Stadium, NJ Transit recently hosted a second Public Transport and Large Events workshop at Rutgers Newark with transit leaders and event-planning experts from around the world to share insights and best practices for planning and executing large-scale events.

The workshop, which took place Oct. 21-22, was held in partnership with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).                                   

The first Public Transport and Large Events workshop took place in June of 2024 and focused on preparedness, collaboration between agencies, best practices, and execution of all aspects of public transportation to large scale events. The second workshop focused on takeaways from the 2024 Paris Olympics including:

  • Crowd Management
  • Mobility/Transport Management
  • Security
  • Integrated Ticketing
  • Travel Information/Wayfinding
  • Officials Travel

In recent years, NJ Transit says it has seen great success in safely transporting sports fans and concertgoers to and from MetLife Stadium, including for the stadium’s record-breaking attendance at last year’s Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Ed Sheeran concerts.

“NJ Transit is proud to once again bring together global transit and security experts as part of our ongoing workshop series, ensuring that our transportation system is ready for the scale of the World Cup,” said NJ Transit President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “By sharing insights and global best practices, we will ensure a fun and safe fan experience for all those visiting our region to attend one or more of the World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.”

KC Streetcar

After successful construction and system testing, the KC Streetcar resumed downtown service the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 22, marking the completion of the track tie-in work for the Main Street Extension, which is expected to open to the public in 2025.

(KC Streetcar)

Completed ahead of schedule, the roughly three-week construction period allowed the KC Streetcar Constructors to connect the current downtown route to the Main Street Extension, the 3.5-mile extension south to UMKC. In addition to track work, the KC Streetcar Constructors work included:

  • Demolition and removal of existing track turnouts and track slabs.
  • Removal of the existing crossover located north of Pershing Road.
  • Expansion joint replacement on the Main Street Viaduct.
  • Welding rail and construction of the final northbound and southbound track needed in the area.
  • Rehabilitation of the bridge deck on the Main Street Viaduct.
  • Construction of a northbound Union Station stop.
  • Installation of OCS poles and overhead wires.
  • Paved and striped the roadway and installed new traffic control signage.

“We’re excited to be back in service and to bring Kansas City closer to the future of transit with the Main Street Extension,” said KC Streetcar Authority Executive Director Tom Gerend. “We appreciate the community’s patience during the temporary streetcar suspension and are eager to continue serving the downtown area while we make progress on this significant expansion.”