NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday that New York will invest heavily in the subway system as part of the state budget deal, with an emphasis on subway safety.
Hochul said she was making the biggest capital investment in the state’s transit history—fully funding the MTA’s entire proposed $68.4 billion 2025-2029 capital plan.
The state will also cover more than $120 million for additional uniformed patrols from state troopers and National Guard members.
"The alternative is unfathomable—not to have a fully functioning, funded, efficient system to carry 6 million people a day," Hochul said.
The capital plan is packed with various initiatives, including the Interborough Express light rail system between Brooklyn and Queens, as well as much-needed repairs and upgrades, and an ongoing crackdown on fare-dodgers.
Hochul joined MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber at Grand Central station to make the announcement as part of the FY 2026 state budget deal.
The governor touted an 11% drop in both subway crime and fare evasion since last year and said there will be more investments to that end.
She said her budget will not only increase law enforcement in the transit system but add more LED lighting and additional platform barriers at 100 stations. New fare gate systems will also be installed at over 150 stations to make life harder for "shameless fare evaders," she said.
The state will also make additional investments to outreach programs for the homeless and mentally ill in the subway, including Safe Options Support (SOS) teams.