1. Do you take the M or F subway in New York? This one is for you if you do. In December, 2025 they will switch. From what I'm seeing, this seems to have to do with Queens Plaza. Not entirely sure what the MTA is doing that makes this necessary, but be aware it will happen.
https://www.mta.info/article/f-m-swap
https://secretnyc.co/f-m-trains-route-swap-december/
2. OMNY. What's the real deal?
Well, I heard about it a while back and it sounded complex, shiesty and a bit silly. But then I gave it a try. Here's the real deal. New York is just catching up with the rest of the civilized world. It's a card that taps. If you want you can use a credit card that taps. No biggie. They did get rid of weekly passes, but after $34 a week; that's a seven day period; it stops charging you. It works whether with OMNY card or a single credit card. You can also tap for up to four people at a time on a single card.
Let me tell you, I spend enough time in New York to have tried out all the various options that articles on the subject discuss. It all works, and if you do it right; you can save a little money.
The old MetroCard will be over come the end of the year. The new OMNY options are available now. It's really just an upgrade but do watch out the beginning of the year for possible rate hikes.
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/tap-and-ride
3. The Charlie Card, MBTA. This card as well is undergoing some changes. Welcome to Boston. The Charlie Card, the OMNY of Boston is undergoing changes. Over the next little bit; dates are vague; this card will be more useful with tap stations as well. This card will eventually be able to tap on the ferries that MBTA operates as well as T and buses. There currently, is still a weekly card available.
Once again, Boston is stepping into the modern era. The idea is that this system too, will be able to accommodate credit cards as payment.
https://www.mbta.com/fares/charlie/about-the-new-charlie-system
https://www.mbta.com/fares/fare-transformation
https://bostonuncovered.com/mbta-automatic-fare-system/
4. Metro North Rate Hikes. If you haven't ridden Metro North lately, be aware that in September there were rate hikes. It's across the board on Metro North and also some on LIRR.
Don't worry about your budget. It tops out at about $.40 for the longer rides. I barely noticed the difference. However, when you consider how many people ride these trains, it will be a big boost to the system.
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/2025-changes
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/ct-metro-north-train-ticket-prices-increase-21025192.php
5. Subway rate hikes. So goes inflation. This one starts in January, 2026. The fare goes up $.10 for a subway ride. Weekly rates are expected but not officially set to go from $34 to $35. Haven't heard the official word on that yet, but look for it.
Once again, when you consider how many fares a day they collect; that's a big boost for the system.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/30/mta-fare-hike-3-dollars-subway/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/nyregion/nyc-subway-bus-fare-price-increase.html
6. Changes over on the Hudson Line. This is that commuter system that goes up the Hudson Valley to Poughkeepsie. What we're getting are faster super express trains on that line. It's a long way up there and it takes a lot of time. They also share a good portion of the line with Amtrak and many people actually switch at Poughkeepsie between the two services.
Adding express just gets more people where they need to be faster. It's worked great over on the New Haven Line, so hoorah!
The buzz is that they're planning on faster trains too.
https://www.mta.info/article/new-metro-north-schedules-start-october-5-2025
7. How's that new Acela doing? Fine. Look, I took the old Acela last month and it was alright, but I found that it wasn't worth the hype.
If you ride the entire route, you only save about an hour in travel time. The fares are ridiculously different. The WIFI and such are good, but is it really worth it? I found out that I'd rather lounge in the lounge on the Northeast Regional, so I didn't think it was worth all the fuss.
I do hear that there are other upgrades on the new Acela in tech and entertainment, so I'll probably check it out sometime soon and see.
https://www.amtrak.com/nextgen-acela
8. Will there be a Christmas Train on Metro North again this year? We all loved the Christmas Train last year. It was something to look for and look forward to. We all use the trains to get around and it was just that little something special that made the ride a little more fun in the cold of winter.
MTA has said that the train will return this year, so Yippie! Really looking forward to it because it's the little things that get you through the winter.
https://www.mta.info/press-release/metro-north-railroad-holiday-train-ready-light-rails
9. His name is Paul. Anyone who has ridden the New Haven Line from New Haven to Grand Central on the weekday 9:40 am train has met Paul. I don't know what other runs he does, but he's on that one.
Paul is the person that we all should be. He comes to work happy and happy to be a conductor. He does station announcements in colorful rhymes. He visits with passengers and makes origami out of old tickets, just to make us all smile.
Don't get me wrong; all conductors have always been nice to me on the trains. It's just that Paul is oozing with wonderful personality. It just makes everyone's day better. My hat is off to Paul. I love his exuberance and friendliness and will always grab his train into the city.
Here's a lovely thought. Paul should work on the Christmas Train. That would be a win win.
https://www.fox5ny.com/news/paul-pesante-metro-north-rhyming-train-conductor
https://nypost.com/2024/02/15/us-news/new-york-train-conductor-thrills-commuters-with-zippy-rhymes/
https://abc7ny.com/post/metro-north-conductor-paul-pesante-mta-nyc/14450024/
10. I'm grieving today over Play. Play was that wonderful budget airline that I took to Iceland a while back. The crews were cheery, the service was good. The flights were just as comfortable as any economy flight. I paid peanuts to fly with them and they rewarded me with good service.
Iceland as a hub has proved difficult for trans Atlantic budge airlines over the years. There were a few that went by the wayside because it's a tough market to manage. Play is only the most recent victim. The seasons make it difficult. Competition can be difficult. Staffing, weather, and so much more make the proposition of northern trans Atlantic budget airlines tough.
I will miss you, because I had a good time on your flights, but hopefully there will be a budget airline in the future that can actually make this idea work.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/play-airlines-ceases-operations-11820774
There you have it. The good, the bad and the ugly in transportation news from me for now. I hope this helps people plan a little better for upcoming trips. Remember, if you want to see how some of this stuff actually works, check out my YouTube channel, also called Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon!
https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466
Check back next week to see what's going on in the world of travel! Enjoy!
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