2025: The Year NYC Transportation Faced Fortune, Fury, and Uncertain Futures
Forget the Chinese zodiac—2025 was the year New York City's transportation system felt like it was living through its own personal Year of the Snake. Yes, there was good fortune, like a much-needed cash injection for the MTA. And there was a sense of harvest, with the controversial congestion pricing scheme raking in millions. But lurking beneath the surface were constant threats, from the Trump administration's attempts to derail progress to the ever-present specter of crumbling infrastructure.
This article originally appeared in On The Way, your weekly deep dive into the world of NYC transportation. Sign up [http://gothamist.com/ontheway] to get the full scoop delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday, complete with reader Q&A, trivia, service updates, and more.
January marked the arrival of congestion pricing, a $9 toll for drivers venturing below 60th Street in Manhattan during peak hours. While some New Yorkers rejoiced at the prospect of calmer streets [https://gothamist.com/news/congestion-pricing-launches-in-nyc-with-9-fee-on-manhattan-drivers], [https://gothamist.com/news/in-first-days-of-congestion-pricing-new-yorkers-see-signs-of-reduced-gridlock], the program quickly became a political lightning rod. The Trump administration, in its second term, sought to dismantle it, labeling it an unfair burden on working-class families [https://gothamist.com/news/trump-moves-to-stop-congestion-pricing-tolls-in-new-york-city].
But here's where it gets controversial: Despite the legal battles [https://gothamist.com/news/can-trump-legally-kill-congestion-pricing-in-nyc-were-about-to-find-out], congestion pricing has shown promising results. It's only been a year, but studies indicate cleaner air [https://gothamist.com/news/congestion-pricing-makes-nycs-air-a-bit-less-filthy-study-fnds] and a significant revenue stream, with nearly $500 million collected by October. Is this a model for other cities, or a regressive tax? The debate rages on.
The federal government's hostility didn't stop at congestion pricing. Funding for crucial projects like the Gateway tunnel and the Second Avenue subway extension were also threatened [https://gothamist.com.news/trump-halts-money-for-nyc-infrastructure-projects-says-minority-contract-rules-are-unconstitutional], leaving the future of NYC's transit network hanging in the balance.
And this is the part most people miss: While we focus on high-profile battles, the MTA's aging infrastructure remains a ticking time bomb. The On The Way team's six-part series, State of Collapse [https://gothamist.com/tags/state-of-collapse], exposed the dire need for upgrades to trains, signals, and electrical systems [https://gothamist.com/news/a-state-of-collapse-how-the-mta-put-riders-on-the-fast-track-to-ruin]. As John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, aptly put it, "If you don't invest in the foundation of a house, the house is going to fall down when the wind comes."
Fortunately, Governor Hochul and the state legislature secured funding for the MTA's $65 billion five-year plan [https://gothamist.com/news/mta-board-approves-65b-plan-to-save-nyc-transit-systems], offering a glimmer of hope for a more reliable future.
2025 wasn't without its dramatic moments. A historic NJ Transit strike in May [https://gothamist.com/news/nj-transit-rail-service-shuts-down-as-workers-go-on-historic-strike] disrupted cross-state travel, while a tragic accident involving a Mexican Navy ship and the Brooklyn Bridge [https://gothamist.com.news/mexican-navy-sailors-prepared-high-flying-farewell-display-before-fatal-brooklyn-bridge-crash] and a helicopter crash into the Hudson River [https://gothamist.com/news/nypd-says-helicopter-crashed-into-hudson-at-least-2-people-pulled-from-water] served as stark reminders of the risks inherent in urban transportation.
The mayoral election brought its own transportation shakeup. Zohran Mamdani's victory, fueled by his promise of free buses, sent shockwaves through the system [https://gothamist.com/news/days-before-nyc-mayoral-election-mta-chair-trashes-mamdanis-pitch-for-free-buses]. While the MTA expressed skepticism [https://gothamist.com.news/what-if-zohran-mamdanis-free-bus-plan-for-nyc-actually-hurt-transit-service], the idea of fare-free transit continues to spark debate.
In the meantime, riders face a fare hike to $3 [https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-transit-fare-to-bump-to-3-as-mta-board-approves-hike] and the phased rollout of the OMNY tap-to-pay system [https://gothamist.com/news/omny-makes-a-bumpy-landing-as-mta-fully-converts-to-tap-to-pay-fare-system], leaving some nostalgic for the trusty MetroCard [https://gothamist.com/news/mta-outlaws-coin-payment-on-nycs-buses-i-remember-when-the-bus-was-a-nickel].
Looking back to the last Year of the Snake in 2013, we see a similar pattern of challenges and opportunities. Fare hikes, infrastructure woes after Superstorm Sandy, and record ridership mirrored some of 2025's struggles.
As we enter the Year of the Horse, characterized by confidence, intelligence, and responsibility, will NYC's transportation system finally find its stride? Only time will tell.
NYC Transportation News This Week:
Citi Bike Prices Climb Again: For the fifth year in a row, Citi Bike prices are increasing [https://gothamist.com/news/citi-bike-prices-to-rise-for-5th-year-in-a-row-operator-cites-tariff-expansion-costs], citing network expansion and rising costs.
MetroCard's Second Life: New Yorkers are finding creative uses for their old MetroCards [https://gothamist.com/news/metrocards-are-more-than-a-way-to-pay-transit-fares-for-some-new-yorkers], from nail art to phone repairs.
OMNY's Bumpy Ride: The transition to OMNY hasn't been without its glitches [https://gothamist.com/news/omny-makes-a-bumpy-landing-as-mta-fully-converts-to-tap-to-pay-fare-system], leaving some riders frustrated.
The Pizza Principle: Is a slice of pizza still comparable to a subway fare? We investigate the changing economics of NYC staples [https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-slices-now-far-more-expensive-than-subway-fare-as-pizza-principle-disappears].
Subway Surfing Tragedies: Despite efforts, subway surfing continues to claim lives [https://gothamist.com/news/subway-surfing-deaths-persist-despite-efforts-of-mta-nypd], highlighting the need for ongoing safety measures.
Curious Commuter:
Got a burning question about NYC transit? Submit it here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRfskNJrw2IhRAL9-wUrsTq3sSaO90EooRjVFG5DPZYjkQ/viewform] and it might be answered in a future newsletter! Remember, Curious Commuter questions are exclusive to On The Way subscribers. Sign up for free [https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/p2b3da2lyqfwlosnxxoa/].
Question from Claire in the Bronx:
Why are there blue construction sheds taking up space on subway platforms even when there's no visible construction?
Answer: Those sheds are likely part of the MTA's ongoing effort to make stations ADA-compliant by installing elevators. It's a massive undertaking, with 46 stations already completed, 46 under construction, and 60 more planned. While it's a slow process, these improvements are crucial for accessibility.
Food for Thought:
Is congestion pricing a necessary evil or an unfair burden? Can Mamdani's free bus plan truly work? What's the future of public transit funding in an era of tight budgets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
