News
The MTA Portfolio is Rich

I originally posted this August 27th of last year. After learning about the fare hikes on the MTA’s bridges and tunnels, which will make tourism from the outer boroughs and tristate so expensive, I thought to repost. Instead of giving $15,600.00 to undocumented immigrants and charging people an arm and a leg to commute why not pull from the MTA’s own resources. Talk about the rich getting richer.
The MTA serves 15.3 million people and is run by the state of New York. They are asking Congress for $12 billion in funding before the end of 2021 and if not, they will raise metro fares to $3.75 and reduce services. Subway, wait times would increase by at least eight minutes. Taking a bus will take 15 minutes longer. Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trains would run at every hour or two.
Since ridership has decreased due to people leaving the city and no longer coming in, the agency projects a deficit of $3.2 billion in 2020. They will ask for an additional $8 billion in 2021.
MTA board members have also suggested raising a gas tax on car commuters to help fund transportation projects for the millions of daily commuters, who until deBlasio is out are not returning, especially since crime is up.
On August 5, the NYPD tweeted: ‘Between May 8th and August 3rd there has been 64 incidents where glass was broken on train cars on the 2,3,7 subway lines in Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx.’
The MTA employs more than 75,000 people. The operating budget for 2019 was $16.4 billion. There are 357 bus routes and subway and rail lines. The dailymail reported earlier this month horde of revelers descended on the #7239 bus in Maspeth, Queens, as the driver was pulling out of the Grand Avenue Depot at 3:35am. The riders were sharing hookah pipes back and forth and were riding without face coverings.
The MTA has a vast portfolio of real estate and related property rights under its control. The MTA is required by law to publish, at least annually, a report listing all its real property. However, the MTA has not published such a report. As a result, the MTA’s vast real estate holdings have not been subject to the intended level of public accountability and transparency. The MTA leases space in its buildings to retailers and other tenants, sells advertising and rents to 15.1 million residents. They own 237 pages worth of property. Retail opportunities range from newsstands and cafés to bookstores and full-service restaurants. They also lease and license parking lots and industrial space. According to the MTA, the rental revenue from these activities totals about $199 million annually. In In 2018 they collected $707 million from advertising on its trains and buses alone.
They own Telecommunications and utilities with private and public sector organizations allowed installations.

They own Grand Central Terminal with over 500,000 visitors every day, the MTA’s Grand Central Terminal is a major New York City destination for transportation, shopping, dining, fresh food, public events, and entertainment. The terminal houses more than 90 retail operations, including restaurants, stores, and food shops. Vanderbilt Hall, situated adjacent to the Main Concourse of Grand Central, is a spectacular setting for special public and private events including corporate functions, benefits, and exhibits.
Maybe the MTA should be honest about their real estate holdings and either sell or realize that they should give back to the city who paves their pockets.
Broadway
T2C Sends Our Prayers to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lea Michele

Saturday, March 25, 2023
A Statement From Andrew Lloyd Webber
I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft.
Thank you for all your thoughts during this difficult time.
The 75-year-old Oscar-winning composer son Nicholas followed in his father’s footsteps and was a successful composer in his own right, having written Fat Friends The Musical. He was married to musician Polly Wiltshire, who appeared on the soundtrack of his father’s 2019 movie Cats.
During his career, Nicholas also scored music for an adaption of The Little Prince as well as composing numerous TV and film scores, including for the BBC1 drama Loves, Lies, and Records.
Nicholas previously spoke about making his own way in the theatre world away from his famous family name in a 2011 unearthed interview.
He said he wanted to be ‘judged on his own merits’ so dropped his surname when working to see what the reaction would be.
Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.
Also on Saturday Lea Michele updated her fans on the status of her two-year-old’s health via her Instagram after he was hospitalized earlier this week. Her son Ever was in the hospital, but is now out due to a ‘scary health issue. She posted a picture backstage in her dressing room ahead of her Broadway performance in Funny Girl. Lea had been out to focus on her family.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for just so much love and support this week. I really really appreciated it”.
Cabaret
My View: It’s Today! It’s Tonight! Marilyn Maye Rehearses For Her New York Pops Carnegie Hall Debut
Sometimes you have to pinch yourself at the opportunities you are presented with. TODAY would be one of those. Or as Marilyn Maye might sing to you, “It’s Today.”
This afternoon I had the privilege of witnessing the 95 year old star, rehearsing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, under the baton of Maestro Steven Reineke, in front of the mighty New York Pops Orchestra. It all happens tonight and has been a lifetime in the making. As if The New York Times piece, bylined by Melissa Errico, wasn’t enough to whet your appetite for what is sure to be a historic evening, maybe these photos will help get you even more excited. Thank you to all who made this happen for me, to present to you….Humbly Yours, Stephen
Cabaret
My View: Someone Named Storm Caused Lots Of Excitement In New York City Last Night
Storm Large has made a name for herself from tours with Pink Martini to orchestral appearances at Carnegie Hall to the television stage of “America’s Got Talent.” But it is with her loyal and fearless band, Le Bonheur, that she grabs audiences. by the lapels and refuses to let go. Love, Storm her new show played 54 Below last night. It’s a playlist of songs by pop luminaries, rock goddesses, and Storm’s fiery originals. There might be someone in the news with a variation of her name currently causing some political excitement, but few entertainers can create the musical excitement that exists in a Storm Large performance.
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