One hundred twenty-two years ago this Tuesday – on October 27, 1904 – New Yorkers took their first subway ride, and city life was never the same. Since then, the system’s endured through 21 mayors, 21 presidents, and incredible technological acceleration.

Now we’re writing its next chapter with projects that will expand the subway’s reach and increase reliability for millions of daily riders.

Folks know Phase Two of the Second Avenue Subway is well underway. Soon we’ll award the project’s fourth and final contract , which covers the things riders directly experience: station infrastructure, tracks and architectural finishes. One step closer to long-awaited transit justice for East Harlem!

And thanks to Governor Hochul, we’re already thinking about the next extension along 125 St , which I’ve been calling “Q West.” It’s not a done deal yet, but we’re starting the environmental review process with public scoping sessions to gather community feedback. The first in-person meeting is set for Tuesday – on Subway Day – in Harlem. You can register to attend on the MTA website.

Last week, we also announced a project, enabled by congestion pricing, that’s going to cut into the number one cause of subway delays: signal problems. At almost $2 billion, this is the largest signal and track replacement in MTA history , and it’s going to cover huge areas of the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.

No more 1930s-era signals. We’re switching over to Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) , a modern signal system that’s going to allow us to safely run trains closer together by giving us a more accurate picture of train locations and speeds. For riders, that means faster, more frequent and more reliable service.

I’ve been known to joke that my goal is to bring the MTA into the late 20 th century. But since Governor Hochul delivered a $68 billion 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan, we’ve upped our ambitions. It’s time to transform our transit system into a top-tier 21 st century operation. Because we're not just modernizing infrastructure or expanding service. We're investing in New York's future and making sure the next generations have even more opportunities to get around this City than the last.

The best way to honor the subway's remarkable history is to continue building on it. That's the ambition that transformed New York 122 years ago, and it's the ambition that will carry us into the next century.

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