Reporting on transportation at THE CITY (@thecity.nyc) • Previously at NY1, The New York Post, New York Daily News, The Journal News Message or email me: JMartinez(at)thecity.nychttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mlxucdsbvc2a“Guys, no more trains,” one officer said. “You’re going to have to take the subway or an Uber, my friend.” We hung out after midnight in Grand Central Madison — and you better believe some people had no clue a strike was coming. NEW story in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/16/lirr-strike-midnight-commuters-mta/16 May 2026 12:35 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlxucdsbvc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mlvxjl5tac27The MTA’s hopes of offering limited Metro-North service at new stations in the East Bronx as soon as next year appear to be dwindling, officials confirmed Friday. NEW story in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/15/metro-north-bronx-partial-service-mta-timeline/15 May 2026 18:27 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvxjl5tac27https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mlst7si32k27“The strike must not happen, it would be like hell, no person in the station,” said Talwar, who estimated that 70% of his customers take the LIRR. “It will be maybe me alone in the station and no customers.” Counting down to 12:01 am Saturday as LIRR strike looms. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/14/lirr-strike-deadline-unions-commute-workers/14 May 2026 12:32 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlst7si32k27https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mllo7io3v22jYOUR MOVE, MAYOR: Mamdani faces June deadline to fill 2 vacant seats on MTA board “Who the mayor picks is important,” sez a former DOT cmsr. “What I found in my time is that you don’t always have the votes, but you always have the bully pulpit.” NEW in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/11/mta-board-mamdani-appointments-transit/11 May 2026 16:14 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mllo7io3v22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3ml2s5qi2qc2kThis is quite a tale from the NYCHA beat. Recommended read from @gregbsmithnyc.bsky.social & @haidee.bsky.social https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/04/chelsea-nycha-housing-relocation-holdout-mao-senior/04 May 2026 23:09 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2s5qi2qc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mkt6wm6rgk25The misery of Rikers Island — again. @reuvenblau.bsky.social lays it out in harrowing detail in this story. It’s good stuff, as they say in the trade. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/01/rikers-island-deaths-report-medical-emergencies-contraband/01 May 2026 22:37 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkt6wm6rgk25https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mkry3rgucs23Currently, this @katiehonan.bsky.social tale on some City Council, uh, 💩pooposals 💩, is the No. 2 most-read story in @thecity.nyc. 🐕 💩 🐕 💩 Help make it No. 1 — and please pick up after your pooch! https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/01/dog-poop-bags-street-clean-council-bills-compost/01 May 2026 11:02 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkry3rgucs23https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mkqixfjgpc2jTwo dozen workers who got stiffed big bucks while building a Bronx playground are getting 💰. But if this @clauirizarry.bsky.social tale doesn’t make you think of the classic Another Bad Creation tune “Playground,” then you had inferior taste in music in 1991. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/30/parks-contractor-wage-theft-green-builders-amin-electrical/30 Apr 2026 20:58 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqixfjgpc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mkpiyhbmik26PAIN IN THE LANE: UPS tops list of bus-lane blockers caught on camera in 2025 🚍 ⛔️ 🚍 Amazon, Frito-Lay, Verizon and Fed Ex vehicles also among league leaders in slowing NYC bus commutes. ⛔️ 🚍 ⛔️ “You say, ‘Why? Why is someone in the bus lane?’” NEW story in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/30/ups-delays-bus-commutes-transit-mta-violations/30 Apr 2026 11:26 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpiyhbmik26https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mknroslbf22bQuote the colorful “billboard lawyer” Michael “The Bull,” get called on first for Q&A with Janno “It’s A Fair Question” Lieber. 🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂🐂 Here’s a link to the story: https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/27/mta-personal-injury-lawyers-ads-claim-lawsuit/29 Apr 2026 18:56 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknroslbf22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mklhcn2p5k2vTime to add “PTET” in with “FHEPS” and “ULURP” on thay list of words that @rachelholliday.bsky.social & @smaldo.bsky.social no doubt enjoy. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/28/kathy-hochul-zohran-mamdani-ptet-tax-budget/28 Apr 2026 20:45 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklhcn2p5k2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mkhtjqwrgc2dWhat NYC subway rider hasn’t seen ads from Morgan & Morgan or Michael “The Bull?” 🚇 💰 They’re among those who “seem to think the MTA is actually spelled ATM,” the transit agency head says. 🚇 💰 NEW in THE CITY: The BIG $ business of “billboard lawyers” on your commute. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/27/mta-personal-injury-lawyers-ads-claim-lawsuit/27 Apr 2026 10:13 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhtjqwrgc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mkfpdncbjc2zSaw this Empire Report headline in the INBOX this morning. Alas, the big news is *not* that Larry Schwartz is now a “Regular Reader of THE CITY.”26 Apr 2026 13:53 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkfpdncbjc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mk6n3o2ohc2mThank you for reading @thecity.nyc From @lillysabs.bsky.social on April 11. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/11/cherry-blossoms-flower-trees-spring-guard/23 Apr 2026 18:24 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6n3o2ohc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mk63jursz22j🌐 🌐 WORLD EXCLUSIVE 🌐 🌐 It's a splendid and sunny 54 degrees in NYC right now — sauces can confirm that Midtown Uniform Season is upon us.23 Apr 2026 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk63jursz22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mjyzyupqmc2u“Everybody was like, ‘Oh my god, a woman cab driver!’” recalled Dorothy Leconte, a taxi driver since 1987. “Until today, I still hear that.” 🚕 🚘 🚙 As Midori Valdivia takes the wheel of NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission, 6% of all TLC trips are by women drivers. NEW: https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/21/women-leaders-drivers-taxi-tlc-uber-lyft/21 Apr 2026 12:59 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjyzyupqmc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mjwtukbkoc2qHere’s a story from @thecity.nyc that is FERRY MUCH worth your time. ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ ⛴️ From @haidee.bsky.social & @lillysabs.bsky.social, it’s good stuff, as they say in the trade. https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/20/artificial-reef-ferry-sea-creatures-sink-volunteers/20 Apr 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjwtukbkoc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mjp52nrois2o⭐️ SUBWAY CELEB SIGHTING ⭐️ 🛗 ⬆️ ⬇️ 🛗 ⬆️ ⬇️ 🛗 ⬆️ ⬇️ 🛗 The elevator being installed at the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History station popped up to say “Hello!”17 Apr 2026 14:27 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjp52nrois2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mjowbi5vd22oPut it on Columbia’s tab. After years of prodding from pols, locals and the MTA, university will pay for an elevator at the towering 125 St. stop on the 1 line. NEW story in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/17/elevator-access-escalator-125th-street-mta-subway-columbia-university/17 Apr 2026 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjowbi5vd22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mj2wwvvrrk2gHOW’S HE DOING? On Mayor Mamdani after his first 100 days as Hizzoner. After the next 100 days, maybe we’ll do a follow-up story on how many people *still* mangle the guy’s last name. W/ @smaldo.bsky.social & @katiehonan.bsky.social https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/09/zohran-mamdani-100-days-rent-affordability-child-care/09 Apr 2026 13:45 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj2wwvvrrk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mj2n44jfdk24NOT EASY BEING GREEN: Just 539 “Boro Taxis” left on NYC streets — ⬇️ 98% from 2015: TLC data 🍏 💰 🍏 “I had a lot of hope,” one green cabbie sez. “But now I will say that turning green was maybe the worst decision I ever made.” NEW in @thecity.nyc w/Kennedy Sessions https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/09/green-cab-boro-taxi-drivers-hail-uber-lyft/09 Apr 2026 10:49 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj2n44jfdk24https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3miyewdptbs2d🌺 💮 NYC IN FULL BLOOM 💮 🌺 My colleagues Haidee Chu and the aptly named Lilly Sabella mapped out all the 🌸 hotspots - it’s good stuff, as they say in the trade. Check it out, check it out, check it out in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/08/spring-cherry-blossom-magnolia-cranapple-map-blooming-flowers-parks/08 Apr 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3miyewdptbs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mivucgung225Nope, wasn’t me. Had to have been the other Jose Martinez. (Gotta love random PR emails).07 Apr 2026 13:14 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mivucgung225https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3miu45shtnc23⭐️ SUBWAY CELEB SIGHTING ⭐️ New(ish) fare gates at the 125th Street station on the A, B, C and D.06 Apr 2026 20:29 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3miu45shtnc23https://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mitbnodimk2eROBOT RIDES UNPLUGGED: Permit expires for testing of autonomous vehicle tech on NYC streets ⏹️ 🤖 🚗 Waymo had tested eight cars in parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn since last summer 🚗 🤖 ⏹️ Its driverless vehicles now operate in 10 U.S. cities. NEW in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/06/waymo-driverless-cars-testing-roads-autonomous-vehicle/06 Apr 2026 12:35 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mitbnodimk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3miqwcscyb22b⭐️⭐️ CELEB SIGHTING ⭐️⭐️ BRUNO, that rarest of 🐕‍🦺🐰 breeds, spotted in Central Park this morning.05 Apr 2026 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3miqwcscyb22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mimikdhkwk2wWe’re in *seven years* at THE CITY. Grateful for our readers, our supporters — and the colleagues who have helped make this job the best of my career.03 Apr 2026 19:50 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mimikdhkwk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/jmartineznyc.bsky.social/post/3mikebaccmk2sE-4: On eve of Yanks' home opener, subway elevators to No. 4 line platforms at 161st St. still out of service for weeks 🛗 ⚾ 🛗 Three others are back in business on big elevator replacement that started in late 2024. ⬆️ ♿ ⬇️ NEW story in @thecity.nyc https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/02/yankee-stadium-accessibility-subway-161-station-elevators-closed/02 Apr 2026 23:28 +0000at://did:plc:e2yafkmmcl72ah7ysindejdl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mikebaccmk2s