Twelve Companies Test Technology Capabilities with MTA, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the NYC DOT 

September 18, 2025 – Today, the Transit Tech Lab—a public-private initiative created by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City to facilitate advancements through technology in public transportation—published a report showcasing results from its 2025 proof-of-concept phase.

Over the course of this eight-week phase that began in May 2025, 12 innovative companies worked closely with New York-area transit agencies to test their technology solutions for improving the ridership experience, and optimizing the inspection and maintenance processes of the transit systems in the tri-state area. Results highlight how the participating companies used technology to streamline complex processes, improve operational responsiveness, and significantly enhance operational efficiency, safety, and cost savings for the partner agencies, which include the MTA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT).

The partner agencies rated the Transit Tech Lab with a Net Promoter Score of 9.6—an increase from an increase from last year’s score, which is attributed to the vast technical capabilities of the companies, and the effective collaboration and engagement throughout. Participating companies rated the Lab with a Net Promoter Score of 8.9, highlighting the value they received from working directly with operational staff and receiving clear decisions and timelines.

View the full report here.

The two challenge areas­­­­—Ridership Improvement and Inspection & Maintenance—were announced in January and generated 112 applications from around the world.

Ridership Improvement Challenge — How can we accurately measure, capture and improve paid ridership and travel demand data to optimize transit schedules and communicate effectively?

Finalists include Jawnt, Libelium Comunicaciones and Matawan. The companies worked with agency partners to:

• Redesign paper-based workflows to accelerate contactless fare payment adoption

• Use real-time sensors to monitor crowding and inform train schedules

• Integrate large-scale fare data to optimize transit planning

Inspection and Maintenance Challenge — How can we digitize manual inspections and optimize maintenance processes?

Finalists include Censys Technologies, FlipAI, Kinexio, Previsico, Routora, SafetyCulture, SahayAI, Tomorrow.io and TwinKnowledge. The companies worked with agency partners to:

• Utilize AI-powered tools to accelerate inspections, data analysis, and document review

• Digitize user-friendly workflows that reduce manual labor, drive time for [what], and administrative overhead

• Produce predictive systems that improve weather forecasting and operations response

This year the program hosted global companies based in France, Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as companies from across the United States.

This is the seventh annual program of the Transit Tech Lab, which has yielded substantial benefit for the regional transportation network. Previous challenges focused on improving subway signaling, transit accessibility, resiliency, and customer experience. Since the program’s inception in 2018, over 1,000 companies have applied to participate in the program, 81 companies have tested their technologies, and 29 solutions have commercially scaled or informed commercial procurements.

The Transit Tech Lab, along with the Environmental Tech Lab and the Buildings Tech Lab, is part of the Partnership Fund for New York City’s “Tech in the Public Interest” strategy, which aims to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively.

About the Transit Tech Lab  

The Transit Tech Lab (TTL) launched in 2018 in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to apply new technology solutions to address critical transit challenges. In 2019, the program expanded to include the NYC Department of Transportation and the Port Authority of NY and NJ. Graduates of the Lab program include Remix, a collaborative digital platform used to redesign the bus routes; Axon Vibe, designers of the Essential Connector smartphone app to help essential workers plan journeys during overnight subway disinfection closures; and Navilens, whose apps enable visually impaired and limited English proficiency New Yorkers to better navigate the subway and bus systems.

About the Partnership Fund for New York City

The Partnership Fund for New York City is the $130 million investment arm of the Partnership for New York City, dedicated to mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. The Fund invests in entrepreneurs and innovators in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who contribute to building a more vibrant and inclusive New York City economy. As an “evergreen” fund, realized gains are continuously reinvested. A key focus of the Fund is the application of new technology that serves the public interest. 

The Partnership Fund Board is led by co-chairs Tarek Sherif and Neil Blumenthal. Maria Gotsch is the Fund’s President and CEO. More information about the Fund can be found at partnershipfundnyc.org.