Citizens Budget Commission urges MTA to cut 1,000 jobs to offset rising costs

The Citizens Budget Commission has advised the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to reduce its workforce by more than 1,000 positions to address a projected funding gap. The watchdog group estimates the MTA will face a $900 million shortfall by 2030 if spending continues to outpace fare revenue. The report proposes eliminating roles that technology has rendered redundant.

A central part of the proposal involves moving to one-person train operations on lines equipped with modern computer-based signals. The L and 7 lines already run with automated announcements and signals, leaving the train operator with limited duties. According to the report, operators currently press a button every 20 seconds to indicate they remain alert. The commission argues that cutting these positions on the L and 7 lines alone would save $36.5 million annually. A systemwide shift to one-person operations could save $500 million a year.

The MTA is currently installing new signaling systems on the A, C, E, F, G, M, and R lines. Those lines still require two crew members to operate trains. The report suggests that once the upgrades are complete, the agency can reduce staffing levels further. The commission also recommends streamlining commuter railroad fare collection by checking tickets before boarding rather than on board. This change could save an additional $380 million a year by reducing the need for ticket inspectors on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.

The report also targets healthcare costs for retirees. The commission suggests that increasing retiree premiums would generate an extra $315 million in annual revenue. Combined with labor savings, the group estimates these reforms would save the MTA $2.5 billion every year. The agency has already saved $576 million this year through what it calls operating efficiencies, but the commission argues that is not enough to close the widening gap.

The recommendation arrives while the Transport Workers Union Local 100 negotiates a new contract for 40,000 subway and bus workers. The MTA plans to release its financial plan for the coming year in the next few weeks. That plan includes a 4 percent increase in fares and tolls. The MTA board will vote on the budget in December.

John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union of America, called the proposal a recurring theme. He stated that the recommendations have been made for decades and essentially seek to balance deficits using the wages of workers. Last year, the state legislature attempted to pass a law requiring two workers on every train. Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed that bill, keeping the door open for one-person operations.

The commission’s report notes that legislative mandates on staffing can hinder modernization. The group argues that technology improvements offer clear financial benefits. Samuelsen countered that many MTA workers accept lower wages than private sector peers in exchange for generous retirement benefits. The MTA has not yet responded to the specific job cuts outlined in the report.