More About How the MTA Chose Light Rail for the Interborough Express

After months of trying, I now am able to post more information here about development of the Interborough Express proposal and why a mode using subway-type railcars was not chosen (erroneously, in my opinion).

It is an unpublished Appendix to the January 2022 “Interborough Express—Feasibility Study and Alternatives Analysis: Interim Report.” The Appendix was created under the project’s former name, “Bay Ridge Connector” or “BRC.” I have posted the report and appendix together for easy cross-reference.

Sections of particular interest to me disclose the mode screening (which eliminated the subway-type “heavy rail” mode from consideration), ridership estimates (which many believe are too low) and interaction with freight.  I will be discussing these topics and criticizing some of the decisions in future articles.

This Appendix was provided to me on October 18, 2023 in response to a Freedom of Information Law request I submitted to the MTA in February 2022, as a result of partial settlement of a court case, which I brought to compel disclosure.