As we know, so much can change in just a matter of years. Could you believe we were in a full blown pandemic just four years ago?
But in the spirit of moving into a brighter and better future, we’re looking forward to all of the exciting changes and projects set to improve our already wonderful city in the coming years. So forget the crystal ball and instead just keep reading on to find out what you can expect NYC to look like in 10 years from now.
1. MetroCards will be officially phased out
The MTA first announced their plans to phase out the MetroCard in favor of OMNY back in 2020. Since then, they’ve made much progress towards the gradual switch with the installation of OMNY readers at every station and OMNY vending machines. And though it’s hard to imagine a world without the MetroCard, pretty soon we’ll be living in it. But don’t worry, MTA Chair Janno Lieber promised the phase out won’t occur until the OMNY project is entirely complete, so for now you can keep swiping.
2. Midtown’s $10B Bus Terminal will be completed
What we now consider to be a nightmare of a terminal, should be showing off a spectacular new look in 10 years with a $10 billion makeover for Midtown’s ever-busy Bus Terminal. It’s all happening through a three-part plan that will be responsible for a brand new 2.1 million square foot main terminal, street-level retail, and a multi-story indoor atrium. The redesign intends to make the world’s busiest bus station into a world-class terminal fit for the 21st-century. Find out how else the outdated bus terminal will be improved here.
3. JFK’s Terminal 6 will be completed
In 10 years from now, JFK’s Terminal 6 will already have begun servicing passengers across its 1.2 million square feet. The reconstructed terminal will boast 10 new gates and 100,000 square feet of shopping and dining. Plus, Terminal 6 will offer new technological advances such as automated TSA security lines and a new digital system. Learn more about plans for JFK’s $4.2 billion Terminal 6 here.
4. IBX will connect 20 neighborhoods between Brooklyn & Queens
In 10 years from now, we’ll have hopefully long forgotten how difficult it was to travel between Brooklyn and Queens on public transportation. That’s because by then the Interborough Express (IBX) should already be servicing riders. This light rail project will connect 20 neighborhoods between the two boroughs on the existing LIRR-owned Bay Ridge Branch and CSX-owned Fremont Secondary. Read more about IBX here.
5. Many NYC buses will be all-electric
The MTA is currently working to replace the entire city’s bus fleet with all zero-emissions vehicles. Though this one is a hefty project that will take about two decades to complete, many buses in the fleet will already be electric in 10 years time. In fact, 60% of the fleet will be zero emissions by 2034, according to project goals. By implementing this more sustainable option to NYC transport, we’ll be saving over 500,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Learn more about the all-electric bus fleet in the works here.
6. Security cameras will be installed in every subway car
We can only hope the subway is astronomically better 10 years from now. One of the efforts underway to improve the subway system that will be complete in the next decade includes the installment of security cameras in every NYC subway car. The MTA has already rolled out brand new R211 train cars equipped with security cameras. The rest will be outfitted by 2025, with two per each car. Learn more details about the cameras being installed in subway cars here.