The Metropolitan Transportation Authority faces a projected budget deficit of nearly $900 million by 2030, driven by spending that outpaces operating revenue growth. A new fiscal watchdog report recommends sweeping operational reforms and workforce reductions to close a gap that could otherwise threaten long-term transit stability.
The Citizens Budget Commission released a report detailing how the transit agency could save $2.5 billion annually through structural changes across its subway, commuter rail, and bus networks.
Ana Champeny is the research vice president for the commission. She told amNewYork in an interview that the fiscal shortfall stems from underlying expenditure growth that outstrips revenue generated by biannual fare hikes.
Their underlying growth in expenditures is faster than their growth in operating revenues,
Champeny said, adding that the agency needs sustainable, long-term solutions to bridge the developing gap.
Budget Commission Suggests Running Trains with Single Workers
Among the watchdog group’s prominent proposals is the elimination of conductors on far more subway cars.
The conductor’s main responsibility is opening and closing the train doors. The operator’s primary remaining responsibility involves pressing a button every 20 seconds to confirm they remain awake.
The budget commission suggested the MTA allow its trains to run with just one worker, instead of two.
According to the findings, cutting operator positions along the L and 7 routes could yield annual savings of $36.5 million.
Transitioning the entire subway network to single-person train operations could generate annual savings of $500 million.
Champeny noted that implementing such measures would require agreement from TWU Local 100, the union representing 40,000 transit workers.
Last year, lawmakers in the state legislature attempted to pass a bill mandating a two-person crew on every MTA train, but Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the bill.
Labor Leaders Immediately Reject Watchdog Recommendations
Labor leaders immediately rejected the watchdog’s recommendations.
John Samuelsen, president of TWU International, criticized the proposals. He characterized them as an attempt to balance transit deficits at the expense of employees and riders, pointing instead to administrative spending on outside contractors.
The union boss insisted that technology cannot replace conductors in guiding riders through emergencies.
Samuelsen noted that during a 2022 attack where a gunman opened fire inside a packed Brooklyn N train and wounded several individuals, conductors helped evacuate passengers to safety.
The Citizens Budget Commission report also suggests streamlining fare collection on commuter rail lines by checking tickets before boarding.
Reducing staffing by upwards of 1,000 positions across Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road could yield $380 million in yearly savings, per the Citizens Budget Commission.
Additional recommendations include requiring unionized employees and retirees to contribute more toward their health insurance premiums.
MTA Outlines Efficiency Progress
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority acknowledged past cost-cutting achievements while addressing the watchdog’s findings.
MTA spokesperson Mitch Schwartz highlighted recurring operational savings already secured by the agency.
The CBC is right to note that we’ve made extraordinary progress in securing hundreds of millions of dollars in new recurring operational efficiencies,
Schwartz said in a statement.
The MTA is expected to release its financial plan for the upcoming year.
The agency will publish that blueprint in the coming weeks.
The plan will incorporate a planned 4% fare and toll increase ahead of a December board vote.