NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) -- The Trump administration is threatening to withhold federal funding from the agency that runs the New York City subway if the Metropolitan Transportation Authority doesn’t comply with a request for information on transit crime.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asked the MTA how it plans to reduce crime and safety incidents on its system, in a letter written to Janno Lieber, the agency’s chief executive officer dated Tuesday. Information regarding fare evasion, criminal activity, mitigation efforts and funding priorities was also requested. The MTA was given a March 31 deadline to comply.
“People traveling on the NYCT subway system to reach their jobs, education, health care and other critical services need to feel secure and travel in a safe environment,” Duffy wrote. “I appreciate your attention to this matter to avoid further consequences, up to and including redirecting or withholding funding.”
John J. McCarthy, the MTA’s policy and external relations chief, said the agency is “happy” to discuss their efforts to reduce crime and fare evasion with Duffy.
“The good news is numbers are moving in the right direction,” McCarthy said in a statement. He noted crime is down 40% compared to 2020 and so far this year, there are fewer daily major crimes in transit than any non-pandemic year ever.
Duffy’s missive is the latest example of the Trump administration wading into local issues. The White House already is trying to halt New York’s congestion pricing program, which aims to raise $15 billion to finance infrastructure projects for the MTA. The MTA has sued over the directive to keep the program going.
Outside of New York, Duffy launched a review of California’s high-speed rail project and the administration broadly has threatened federal funding for sanctuary cities.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has made reducing transit crime a priority after a spate of high profile incidents. In December, she announced another 250 National Guard members will be deployed to the subway system, bringing the total to 1,000. The New York City police department has also boosted its presence.
A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fare evasion has also improved. About 10% of subway riders skipped paying the fare at the end of 2024, down from 14% in June, according to MTA data.