Filling MTA Funding Hole is Never Enough

The federal government has cut back on infrastructure investment and has yet to commit to paying for a portion of an ambitious $20 billion plan floated by Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to build two Hudson River tunnels, new bridges and an expanded New York Penn Station.

The State guarantees $8.3 billion to the MTA Capital Program to be provided by State sources.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s five-year modernization plan funds 1,000 new subway cars, more real-time countdown clocks and track repairs. “In the tri-state region, we have $400 billion in infrastructure needs”.

“Other cities – Shanghai, London – these cities are growing, and we’ll be limited”, he said in an interview before the deal was completed.

“The state’s stepped up to the plate and I’m glad the city has stepped up to the plate”, he added.

The deal saw Mr.de Blasio agree to pay $2.5 billion into the capital plan over the next five years-less than the $3.2 billion the MTA Chairman Thoma Prendergast asked for on the eve of the mayor’s executive budget announcement, but more than the $657 million the city was planning on spending. “That is why we’re making an historic investment – the city’s largest ever general capital contribution – while ensuring that NYC dollars stay in NYC transit, and giving NYC riders and taxpayers a stronger voice”, de Blasio said.

“I look forward to working with the governor whenever it can serve the people of New York City, and in this case we were able to serve the people of New York City”, Mr.de Blasio said of his relationship with Mr. Cuomo today.

“Anyone who rides the subways and buses will tell you we needed to do it”, Cuomo said Monday as he prepared to march up Fifth Avenue in a Columbus Day parade.

Projects in the City which are funded by the $2.5 billion committed by the City (including projects funded through non tax levy sources agreed to with the MTA) will be planned by the MTA Board in collaboration with the City representatives on the MTA Board, with priority consideration given for projects and timing based on input from the City.‎ Likewise suburban projects which are funded by the suburbs will be planned by the MTA Board in collaboration with suburban representatives on the MTA Board and with priority consideration given for projects and timing based on input from the those suburban communities.

Because the city’s promised contribution is $700 million short of what the MTA earlier sought, the agency will be forced to find efficiencies, including possibly scaling back the program.

Few details have emerged on how the MTA, state and city plan to cover the massive cost. De Blasio balked, citing concerns the state would again raid the MTA fund for other uses.

The MTA’s biggest union, the Transport Workers Union Local 100, similarly credited Cuomo for securing “a great win” for transit workers and passengers.

The mayor said city riders already paid more than their fair share of the plan through fares and taxes but that he was willing to consider more funding only if the monies were dedicated to capital improvement, the state identified how it would come up with its share of the money and the city had more of a say in which capital projects were chosen.