US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply escalated the Trump administration’s criticism of New York City’s subway system today, accusing Governor Kathy Hochul of overlooking safety and homelessness concerns in the transit network.
Duffy stated, “If you want people to take the train, make it safe, make it clean, make it beautiful, make it wonderful,” during a press conference held in Morris County, New Jersey. He added, “She could fix it in hours — not days, not weeks, not months — hours. And she chooses not to.”
These comments came shortly after Duffy sent a letter to Janno Lieber, the CEO and Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), requesting detailed data on crime, fare evasion, and the agency’s plans to enhance safety. The MTA was given until March 31 to provide a response, with Duffy warning that failure to comply could result in the withdrawal of federal funds.
The MTA is significantly dependent on federal funding, receiving as much as $2.5 billion annually to support projects like subway and rail car upgrades, as well as enhancing system accessibility. Around $14 billion, or 20% of the MTA’s upcoming multi-year capital plan, is expected to come from the federal government.
In response, a spokesperson for the MTA expressed openness to discussing the agency’s efforts in both safety and fare enforcement. They pointed out that transit crime has notably decreased since 2020 and indicated a drop in fare evasion since the previous summer.
Governor Hochul has taken steps to address the situation, including sending more National Guard troops to patrol the subway and ordering the NYPD to station two officers on every overnight train. Her office has described these actions as part of a robust response to the public’s growing concerns following high-profile incidents that have undermined confidence in the system.
Additionally, Duffy’s remarks come at a time when a separate conflict is unfolding between the Trump administration and New York officials regarding congestion pricing. This initiative, aimed at generating $15 billion for infrastructure improvements by imposing fees on drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district, has faced opposition from the White House, while the MTA is pursuing legal action to continue the plan.
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