Ameen DaCosta // Engineering Specialist at STV
I get inspired by everyone who helped plan, develop, or construct the city as we see it today. If they can do it, so can we!
Hi everyone! My name is Ameen DaCosta, and I’m a Transportation Engineer at STV in the Transportation North Sector. Here I have the opportunity to do some of the civil and design work for many transit, roadway, and other transportation related projects across the New York City area. I recently graduated from UC Berkeley where I received a dual-degree MS in Transportation Engineering and MCP in City and Regional Planning. Before that, I received my BS in Civil Engineering from Columbia University. For my City Planning degree, I wrote my capstone on Customer and Community Engagement by Public Transportation agencies. This was influenced by the Guinness World Record my friends and I set for “Fastest time to visit every San Francisco Metro Station” (BART), with the subsequent media attention leading me to research more ways in which transit agencies can increase engagement with the community around them. In addition, I enjoy watching and playing soccer (let’s go Manchester United!), playing video games, exploring new places both within New York City and elsewhere, and spending time with my family and friends.
Why transportation?
As a born and raised New Yorker, I grew up using the city’s transportation infrastructure. When I was younger, I used to draw maps of imaginary places and play with wooden trains, wooden blocks, and LEGOS. As I got older, the subway gave me my first sense of independence when my parents allowed my brother and I to commute to school on our own, and this quickly expanded to using it to get all around the city. I even went (and continue to go) on a few “Subway Adventures” with my family and friends, allowing me to explore new places around the city that I would have never been to otherwise. I also love exploring public transportation systems around the world, noting their similarities and differences. I was always amazed at how these networks could move millions of people around every day so seamlessly, and learned as much as I could about it. I always knew I wanted to have a career in the field, as it enables mobility and interconnectivity between people and places, and is especially important in reducing congestion and emissions as cities continue to grow.
What’s your favorite way to get around the YPT-NYC region?
The Subway! The 1 and C lines will always hold a special place in my heart 🙂
If you could snap your fingers and make one change to regional transportation, what would it be?
If I had to choose one, I would love for there to be a cross-harbor rail tunnel for freight trains, connecting Brooklyn and Queens to New Jersey. This would allow goods to be delivered into New York City directly by rail, removing thousands of trucks from the roads, which would reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Who inspires you?
This isn’t a specific person, but rather I get inspired by everyone who helped plan, develop, or construct the city as we see it today. If they can do it, so can we!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
If you have a passion in something, learn as much as you can about it. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to have your career be based on it!
What are you working on currently that you’re most excited about?
As I’ve only just started my full-time job a couple of months ago, I haven’t been assigned to any larger projects yet. However, I previously had the opportunity to contribute to both the Second Avenue Subway and Gateway at the firm as an intern, and am excited to work on large transformative transportation infrastructure projects such as those!
Do you have a favorite transportation book, blog, newsletter, podcast, or YouTube channel?
My favorite Transportation Youtuber is Miles in Transit. I’ve been watching his content for many years now, and I love seeing all of the crazy transit adventures that he gets up to with his friends, while also showcasing the beauty (and pitfalls) of transit all around the world—he’s inspired me to continue going on adventures just because I can. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year in San Francisco (and even appeared in a couple of videos!), and it was great to discuss the future of public transportation with someone so passionate about the field.
What is your favorite transportation-related fun fact or joke?
Many of you might already know this, but the New York City Subway system carries more than 10 times the number of people as the next largest system in the United States. It really puts into perspective how massive the system really is!
YPT-NYC 