The pressure is mounting on the MTA, and it’s not just the usual complaints. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has gone straight for the jugular, issuing a warning that could hit the authority where it hurts most—its funding. Duffy made it clear that if the MTA doesn’t come up with concrete plans to tackle the growing crime problem, federal funding will be on the chopping block.
In a letter that has caught the attention of local officials, Duffy didn’t mince words. He demanded the MTA submit detailed strategies to address a laundry list of issues plaguing the transit system. From violent crime to assaults on transit workers, the concerns are serious. The list also includes an increase in fare evasion and the disturbing rise in subway surfing—a reckless act that has claimed lives and injured passengers. It’s clear that the situation is spiraling out of control, and Duffy isn’t giving them any more room to drag their feet.
While the MTA has long been under fire for its inability to curb crime within the transit system, Duffy’s ultimatum puts even more pressure on the agency to deliver tangible results. The financial consequences of not acting are stark. It’s not just a slap on the wrist; federal funding is a lifeline for the MTA, and without it, the system could face a serious crisis.
As New Yorkers continue to experience an uptick in violence and disorder on trains and buses, Duffy’s letter signals that the federal government is no longer willing to sit on the sidelines. The MTA must now respond with a plan that not only addresses the rising crime but also ensures that the safety of transit workers and commuters becomes a top priority. The clock is ticking, and this is a wake-up call the MTA cannot afford to ignore.
Sources:
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-administration-transportation-mta/2025/03/19/id/1203499/