Your weekly guide to heroic and villainous actions in tri-state transportation and development.

Winners

The MTA—By continuing to identify cost savings and higher ridership revenues, the largest public transportation agency in North America has restored some of the New York City Transit and commuter rail service that was cut in 2010 and made the G train’s Church Avenue extension permanent, all while (temporarily) staving off expected fare hikes in 2013 and lengthening the lifespan of commuter rail tickets. They were also just awarded nearly $30 million in federal grants for bus projects (New York City also received grants for bus infrastructure in the five boroughs).

East Hartford commuters—Last week, East Hartford commuters turned out for a community bike to work event, signaling a push towards a more sustainable transportation network in the area (East Hartford cyclists will soon be able to get to work in new bike lanes as well).

Newark Youth Leadership Project participants—This week, Tri-State’s Janna Chernetz and Matt Norris toured downtown Newark with students from the Newark Youth Leadership Project, working with more than 50 young advocates to evaluate the neighborhood in the areas of transportation, land use, economic development, and more. Thanks to the students and the Greater Newark Conservancy!

Losers

The health of New Jersey residents—Starting August 1^st, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will have freedom to waive its regulations under certain vaguely defined circumstances, the result of a controversial rule change that has attracted a major lawsuit from environmental and labor groups. Although the New Jersey Assembly has passed a resolution in opposition to the rule change, the Senate has not.

Brooklyn pedestrians and cyclists—The same day as legislation to encourage improved NYPD traffic crash investigation procedures is expected to be introduced in the New York City Council, the Brooklyn Paper reported that certain South Brooklyn precincts are issuing almost no speeding tickets. “The reason why so many ghost bikes are in our neighborhood is that they’re a symbol of all the fatalities we have experienced…the NYPD needs to get serious about drivers who speed,” said Councilwoman Tish James.