NEW YORK — With a strongly worded letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week made it explicit how he expects the agency’s capital funds to be spent, a message the MTA’s head says it will “fully support.”
In the letter, Cuomo said he wants rapid implementation of the MTA’s reorganization plan, which will consolidate back-office functions, create a single office overseeing capital construction, and reduce headcount. [See “MTA approves reorganization plan, task force to address delays,” Trains News Wire, July 26, 2019.] He also called efforts to improve train speeds, safety, address fare evasion, an initiative to deal with the homeless, and clean stations “are top short-term management priorities.”
The letter also indicated that increased revenues from New York City’s new Congestion Pricing, expected to start in 2021 [see “State budget will boost New York City transit funding through congestion pricing, other taxes”, Trains News Wire, April 1, 2019], will go a long way to completing long-term goals. These include ADA accessibility at more subway stations; installation of state-of-the-art signal systems; progress on long-delayed construction projects, such as the Moynihan Station and the extension of the Second Avenue Subway; increased service, and prompt delivery of new equipment.
In a statement, MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said, “We understand Governor Cuomo’s call to action and fully support the agenda he has laid out. The 2020-2024 Capital Plan is being developed and, when adopted, will support creating a transit system our riders deserve.”
State law requires the MTA board of directors, which next meets on Sept. 25, to vote on the capital plan by Oct. 1. It then requires approval by the New York legislature, which reconvenes in January 2020, and by New York Mayor Bill DiBlasio.
Upstate New York are financially dependent on downstate, which is way more financially solvent.
The problem for the city is many local functions are dependent on approval by the state legislature.
I think it is time for Upstate New York to secede from the city and its suburbs. While this long term plan is all good stuff remember this is New York. The headcount won’t decrease because the unions who contribute heavily to Cuomo’s campaign chest won’t allow it. The homeless and fare evasion issues won’t go anywhere because any attempt to remediate them will be declared racist and the advocates for these people will scream. I know someone who works for a company in lower Manhattan and they have been told that the company will be relocating to New Jersey next year to avoid congestion pricing. They can’t be the only ones and if that trend becomes widespread so long congestion pricing. Etc., etc., etc. Big dreams but I don’t think Cuomo has really thought out the results or lack there of.
The MTA reorganization – consolidating support functions and system operations integration while decentralizing transportation mode execution – is a good idea. However, I don’t put it past Mayor DiBlasio to ruin the new MTA.
Why does Cuomo refuse to learn from his many prior mistakes of his hands in the cookie jar pushing his political agenda into areas he knows nothing about, e.g., transportation? Is it due simply to his well known stubbornness, or, he does not care, as he expects if Biden gets the Dem nomination, Cuomo will be picked to run as the VP?
Cuomo would greatly benefit from a trip ‘back to the future’ when David Gunn was given cart blance to re-rail the MTA, or, later when Giuliani provided the desperately needed stability to properly run NYC and its transport system.
Until then, the MTA will continue to drift, depended upon what comes to Cuomo’s mind when he wakes-up each day.