November 12, 2025
Good morning! I’m Kara Gurl, Planning and Advocacy Manager at the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC).
When we learned in early 2022 that Governor Hochul planned to create the IBX, we were beyond thrilled. A few years later, we’re well on the way to seeing this once-in-a-generation project take off. For too long, riders traveling between most of Brooklyn and Queens have had to ride through Manhattan or endure long bus and train trips. The IBX will transform the transit network for 160,000 daily riders and 900,000 neighborhood residents along the route. We’re endlessly thankful that the Governor has made this project a priority, and that the MTA has the funding and investment needed to commence the environmental review and scoping process.
We’re excited that the early stages of the planning study have pointed to light metro as the mode of choice for the IBX. Light metro systems have proven to be the best balance of cost-effectiveness, speed, and capacity so we support the decision to move forward with that mode. We’re thrilled the MTA is making the investment to tunnel below Metropolitan Avenue and All Faiths Cemetery to minimize the possibility of cars and trucks interfering with the IBX at grade level. Speeding up the run time, enhancing safety, and encouraging more riders will pay dividends over the long-term.
We also hope to see stronger, more direct, transfer points between IBX stations and subway and the LIRR’s East New York station. While the existing tracks for the IBX may be located a few blocks away from some current stations, including at Broadway Junction and Brooklyn College, we hope to see station designs and wayfinding that clearly point riders to the IBX—and of course, transfer and fare policy that allows all riders to use all of the connected modes without paying twice.
Riders are counting on our elected leaders to continue funding and supporting transit at the city, state, and federal level. For too long, we’ve had to choose between maintaining the century-old transit system we have and expanding its reach— but as long as the MTA’s Capital Plan remains funded, New Yorkers will see that we can have both. Thank you.