NYC subway must improve or lose federal money

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has taken a strong stance on the management of New York’s transit system, emphasizing the need for thorough oversight of MTA spending and improved safety measures. During his appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Ingraham Angle,” Duffy acknowledged the mayor’s efforts to enhance security by deploying additional law enforcement officers in the subway system.

However, he expressed concerns about conflicting statistics regarding the system’s progress and directed criticism toward New York’s governor for inadequate oversight of MTA operations. The Secretary highlighted ongoing issues within the subway system, including persistent homelessness and security concerns, while questioning the allocation of resources for system maintenance and safety improvements. He emphasized that these problems require immediate attention from state leadership.

https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/1902461167966228485

Speaking about the Department of Transportation’s approach to funding transit systems nationwide, Duffy outlined a clear conditional strategy. The Department, which provides substantial federal funding to various transit authorities, has adopted a strict position: systems that maintain high standards of operation, punctuality, and safety will continue receiving support, while those failing to meet these criteria risk losing their funding. Duffy suggested implementing more rigorous oversight of the MTA’s financial management, specifically recommending sending DOGE to examine their spending patterns. This initiative would aim to identify and eliminate wasteful practices, ultimately working toward creating a more efficient and cost-effective transit system.

The Transportation Secretary’s comments underscore a broader policy shift toward accountability in public transportation funding, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that federal taxpayer money is used effectively to maintain safe, reliable transit systems across the country.