amNewYork, in conjunction with the MTA, present “Ask the MTA,” a column where MTA officials answer your questions about transit service in New York City. If you have a question for the MTA about subways, buses, commuter rails and more, email askthemta@amny.com.

A: Metro-North has a “Laser Train,” a special purpose rail vehicle in its fleet that uses lasers to zap away the slimy sludge left on rails by fallen leaves.

Aside from being gross, the sludge – produced by a chemical in leaves known as pectin — can also be dangerous. It causes trains to slip along rails as they brake, creating flat spots on wheels that impede safe operations. Since introducing the Laser Train, Metro-North has reduced delays caused by leaves by 65% and wheel defects by 30%, saving time and money.

Look out for the Laser Train all season long – there’s no missing its retro-futuristic NASA-inspired design. – Justin Vonashek, President, Metro-North Railroad

A: Riders can message staff 24/7 in the MTA app and stay on top of delays by signing up for real time email and text alerts on the MTA website .

You can also speak to us directly about your concerns via the Fall Customers Count Survey , which is available online and over the phone through November 1. It takes just 15 minutes to fill out and comes in nine languages.

Customers Count happens twice a year in addition to smaller monthly polls, and we rely on this feedback for insight into what’s working and what needs improvement so we can make changes accordingly.

Most New Yorkers don’t need the reminder, but don’t be shy filling it out! – Shanifah Rieara, MTA Chief Customer Officer

A: Early station preparation work is starting this month for the second phase of our successful fare gate pilot, and we plan to start installations by the end of the year.

Downtown Brooklyn’s Hoyt-Schermerhorn (A/C/G) station is among the 20 stops included in the expansion, along with five others in the borough. New fare gates are also already in use at Atlantic Av-Barclays Center (2/3/4/5/B/D/N/Q/R) and at Hoyt St (2/3). Hoyt St actually tied for the biggest reduction in fare evasion during the pilot phase – a 72% decrease thanks to the new gates.

We’ll get to 150 stations in total as part of the billion-dollar investment funded in the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan. – Tim Kaiser, Vice President and Project Executive, MTA Construction & Development

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