The cost of building and upgrading public transportation in the US seems astronomical. Why does it cost billions to build subways and train lines here when it’s done for a fraction of the price in advanced economies such as Europe, Japan, Korea, and Singapore? NYU professor Eric Goldwyn helps answer that question with the findings of the massive Transit Costs Project report he worked on, which includes New York City. Many theories have been put forward to explain this: corruption, labor costs, materials, and more. However, the surprising reason may not be what you think. Eric will take a close look at NYC, the impact of the study, and what the future holds for public transit in the metro area and the US.

Eric Goldwyn is an assistant professor and the program director at NYU’s Marron Institute of Urban Management. He was one of four authors of the institute’s seminal Transit Costs Project report, which was released in 2023 and received wide national press coverage. Eric received his Ph.D. in Urban Planning from Columbia University. He teaches courses on urban planning and urban studies and his writing on cities and transportation technology has been published in academic journals and popular press outlets, such as Bloomberg’s CityLab and New York Daily News. Before starting the Transit Project, Eric worked on a proposal to redesign Brooklyn’s Bus Network.

Saturday, March 30, 5 p.m.
7 Saxon Woods Rd.,
White Plains, NY