The Trump administration has issued a warning to New York City’s transit system, threatening to withhold federal funding unless they present a plan to address crime. While transit officials in New York have cited public data indicating a decrease in major crimes on the subway system this year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted “a number of high-profile safety incidents” in a letter to the head of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
During an interview on “Fox & Friends,” Duffy emphasized that if the subway system cannot ensure the safety of passengers and prevent incidents like stabbings, assaults, or people being pushed onto tracks, federal funding will be withdrawn. Similar consequences could be faced by transit systems in Chicago and Washington, D.C., if they do not improve their safety standards.
New York officials expressed willingness to discuss the measures being taken by the MTA and NYPD to combat crime and fare evasion. John McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, highlighted positive trends, stating that crime has decreased by 40% compared to the period before the pandemic in 2020, and there are fewer major crimes occurring in transit this year than in any previous non-pandemic year.
While violent crime is uncommon in New York City’s subway system, recent high-profile incidents, such as assaults and people being pushed onto tracks, have raised concerns among riders. Although overall major felonies have decreased in recent years, assaults have seen an increase according to NYPD data.
Efforts to address fare evasion and other offenses have been intensified by deploying more police officers in the transit system. Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul deployed state National Guard members to some of the busiest stations as a visible deterrent against crime.
Duffy’s letter requested details on the actions and plans taken by New York officials to address various criminal activities within the transit system, including assaults on customers and transit workers, fare evasion, and incidents of passengers being pushed onto tracks. The letter set a deadline of March 31 for compliance, threatening to redirect or withhold funds if the information is not provided.
The MTA, responsible for New York City’s buses and regional rail networks, depends on a combination of local, state, and federal funding. The agency’s capital plan through 2029 anticipates a significant portion of funds from federal grants.
In addition to the crime-related warning, New York is also facing a separate deadline to comply with a Trump administration directive to halt Manhattan’s congestion pricing system. Despite the deadline, state officials have expressed their intention to continue the tolling program as it aims to reduce traffic congestion and generate revenue for the transit system. The issue of congestion pricing was not mentioned in Duffy’s letter.
