Good evening. I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director for the Permanent Citizens Advisory to the MTA (PCAC).
Despite the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding federal funding writ large and transit projects in particular, there is no shortage of projects in the MTA’s pipeline worthy of federal support. New subway and train cars and buses, improvements in power, tracks, and structures, plus the transformative Penn Station Access Project, the over $12 billion of work outlined is essential to keeping our system running safely and reliably for the millions of riders who depend on it daily.
Transit makes New York work, and it’s one of the few ways NYC is affordable compared to other cities nationwide. Yet the federal government already severely underfunds the MTA, which supports 43% of the nation’s transit riders but only receives 17% of federal transit funding. New York’s Congressional Delegation should take note. One way to begin to rectify this funding gap is to advocate for more formula-based financing that is more objective and less prone to changes in administrations over a grant-based approach. A stronger and steadier pipeline of funding will aid planning efforts, reduce project costs, and support U.S. manufacturing. It’s a no-brainer.
New York State must also do its part. The Governor and Legislature have two clear, important jobs:
- Support congestion pricing from external threats so the 2020-24 Capital Plan has the funding it needs.
- Determine how to fund the $35.4 billion gap in the 2025-29 Capital Plan. PCAC has outlined two dozen funding sources in a soon-to-be-released report, so Take Your Pick. Many of the options also support the State’s equity and climate goals.
These are tall but far from insurmountable tasks. With New York State firmly behind these capital projects, we respectfully urge the Federal Transit Administration to support these projects generously. New York and its millions of riders depend on it. Thank you.