Report: New York MTA Facing 'Greatest Crisis' in its History

A new report on the finances of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) makes a desperate plea for assistance from the federal government.

2 minute read

October 14, 2020, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York City Subway

Kits Pix / Shutterstock

Joseph Spector shares news of a report by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that describes the funding shortfalls at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as the "greatest crisis" in the history of the transit agency.

"The MTA’s financial condition is dire,” DiNapoli said in a statement quoted in the article. "With ridership down, debt burden rising and no additional help likely from New York state or New York City, the MTA desperately needs an influx of federal funds or unheard of service cuts and workforce reductions will happen."

According to the report, the NTA faces a $6.3 billion projected gap next year is more than half of the MTA’s annual projected revenue—a hole that could not be closed without an infusion in aid. That projected budget gap is expected to grow to $12 billion over four years, reports Spector.

The MTA has been seeking $12 billion in funding to whether the fiscal storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic—an ask complicated by the stalled progress of federal stimulus talks in Congress in recent days and weeks.

Over the course of the pandemic, transit planning in the city of New York has been a tale of two modes: bus ridership has rebounded faster from pandemic lows than subway ridership. The MTA cut overnight service on the subway (for debatable purposes) before the city ramped up planning for new bus lanes around the city.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 in lohud

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

3 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

4 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

5 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

6 hours ago - CNU Public Square