Lagging ridership leaves MTA with hard choices, must adjust to changing demand
Looming budget gaps demand MTA put options on the table for all to see
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a report Thursday detailing the latest fiscal pressures facing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The MTA provided 3.8 billion trips across its subway, bus, and commuter railroad services in 2019, but the pandemic brought new troubles to the nation’s largest transit system.
Overall ridership on New York City’s regional transit system is not recovering as hoped, leaving revenue well below pre-pandemic levels and forcing the MTA into a difficult financial position as federal aid dwindles, according to a report issued today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“The MTA’s large budget gaps are coming into greater focus as ridership remains well below pre-pandemic levels and federal relief runs out,” DiNapoli said. “Unless there is an additional influx of city, state or federal aid, the MTA is facing stark options for closing its budget gaps that will impact riders. The MTA needs to lay out what is at stake and explain to the public what options it’s considering to close budget gaps and how it can adjust to continued low ridership levels and shift service to meet changes in demand.”