Watchdog urges MTA job cuts to address projected deficits
The Citizens Budget Commission says the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s spending is growing faster than its operating revenue, putting the agency on course for a projected $897 million shortfall by 2030. The watchdog estimates its package of changes could save $2.5 billion a year.
A central proposal is to expand one-person train operations by automating tasks now handled by conductors. The CBC says expanding the system could save $238 million annually. The MTA already uses the approach on some lower-ridership subway lines; the commission argues that technology and practices at other transit systems support a wider rollout.
TWU Local 100, which represents about 40,000 MTA workers, is negotiating a new contract with the agency. Union president John Samuelsen opposes removing conductors, saying they are important in emergencies and cannot be replaced by technology. He also argues that MTA workers accept lower pay than some private-sector peers in part because of their retirement benefits.
The CBC’s other recommendations include raising productivity in subway maintenance, increasing city bus speeds, and requiring employees and retirees to contribute more toward health insurance. It says improved maintenance productivity and faster buses could account for $971 million in annual savings, while changes to commuter railroad staffing could also reduce costs.
The MTA says it has already achieved $576 million in recurring efficiencies and is working with the city to improve bus speeds on 50 priority corridors. State lawmakers have passed a bill that would block expansion of one-person train operations; it is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision. The governor vetoed a similar measure last year.
MTA watchdog puts workers’ jobs and safety on the chopping block
The Citizens Budget Commission is pressing the MTA to close its projected budget gap by cutting jobs and shifting more health costs onto workers and retirees. Its proposals put the burden of the agency’s finances on transit employees, even as the union says workers already accept lower pay than private-sector peers in exchange for retirement benefits.
The most contentious recommendation is to expand one-person train operations by removing conductors from more subway trains. The CBC estimates the change could save $238 million annually. But TWU Local 100 president John Samuelsen says conductors play a crucial role during emergencies and that technology cannot guide passengers to safety in a crisis.
The dispute comes as the MTA and Local 100 negotiate a new contract covering about 40,000 workers. The union opposes expanding one-person operations, while the CBC says changes to staffing and work rules are needed to contain spending that it says is growing faster than revenue.
The watchdog estimates its full package could save $2.5 billion annually. It also recommends higher employee and retiree contributions to health insurance, more productive subway maintenance, faster city buses and cuts to commuter railroad staffing. Its proposed maintenance and bus changes could produce $971 million in annual savings.
The MTA says it has already secured $576 million in recurring efficiencies and is working with the city to improve bus speeds on 50 priority corridors. A state bill that would prevent expansion of one-person operations is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul, who vetoed a similar measure last year.
MTA must confront costs before projected deficit reaches $897 million
The MTA faces a projected $897 million deficit by 2030, and the Citizens Budget Commission says rising spending is outpacing operating revenue. Its proposed reforms offer a path to savings of $2.5 billion a year, but the agency will need cooperation from labor and state lawmakers to implement them.
A key recommendation is expanding one-person train operations, which the CBC says could save $238 million annually. The approach automates tasks performed by conductors and is already used on some lower-ridership lines. The commission argues that technology and practices at other transit systems make wider use of the model a reasonable way to reduce personnel costs.
The proposal faces resistance from TWU Local 100, whose president, John Samuelsen, says conductors are vital in emergencies. The union is negotiating a new contract with the MTA for about 40,000 workers. State lawmakers have passed legislation that would bar expansion of one-person operations, and it is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul; she vetoed a similar bill last year.
The CBC also recommends improving subway maintenance productivity, raising bus speeds, changing commuter railroad staffing and requiring workers and retirees to contribute more toward health insurance. It estimates maintenance and bus reforms could generate $971 million in annual savings.
The MTA says it has already achieved $576 million in recurring efficiencies and is working with the city on bus-speed improvements along 50 priority corridors. The CBC argues further changes are needed to make the agency’s finances sustainable over the long term.
