New York, Boston Transit Agencies Back Off Proposed Cuts

News of a potential economic stimulus package in Congress is followed by news that two of the nation's most prominent transit systems are reducing cuts proposed to address plummeting revenues.

1 minute read

December 17, 2020, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Subway

Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock

"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is backing off from approving the so-called 'doomsday budget' that would have seen major cuts to subway and bus service in the city," according to an article by Spectrum News.

The MTA previously announced a proposed budget that would have cut 40 percent of weekday subway service and laid off more than 9,000 employees.

The positive news for the MTA's budget comes as reports from Washington, D.C. indicate that Congress seems to have cleared the logjam regarding a stimulus package that would include funding for public transit agencies. According to the Spectrum News, the MTA is expecting $4 billion as part of the package being negotiated now.

As of this writing, Congress seems poised to approve a $900 billion stimulus package, as reported by Politico and The New York Times.

In similar news from the Boston region, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has also scaled back promised service cuts, keeping some of the T routes that it proposed shutting down in November. The MBTA is still running a reduced service schedule to deal with COVID illnesses among system workers. Although the MBTA scaled back cuts, "riders will face longer waits between buses and trains, and 20 bus routes are still slated for elimination," according to an article by Christian MilNeil that updates the MBTA's service plans.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 in Spectrum News

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.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight