MTA CEO Elliot SanderMetropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Elliot Sander unveiled plans this week for dramatic service expansions and renovations in the first-ever "State of the MTA" [1] speech.

According to Newsday [2], Sander delivered his speech at the Great Hall at Cooper Union amidst talk of global warming concerns and international infrastructure investments. His plans include buying additional trains and buses, expanding and adding service, and the renovation of several stations.

The plans are, of course, riding on Albany's approval of a $29.5 billion capital plan to fund MTA projects through 2013. Funding is also contigent upon the approval of congestion pricing plan, which is estimated to raise $4.5 billion by adding tolls for Manhattan-bound vehicles.

"With a million more people expected to live in the city by 2030 and ridership projected to grow by 20 percent, such funding is vital," Sander said. The state Legislature must vote on congestion pricing by the end of this month to be eligible for a federal grant of $354 million.