May 29, 2015
By Neal Tepel
New York, NY – A new analysis released by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer finds that New York City taxpayers and businesses contribute over $10.1 billion annually in taxes, fares, tolls and direct expenditures toward the operations of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a far higher total than generally recognized.
While the City contributed 68 percent of MTA’s operating budget in FY14, the State paid for just 4 percent.
“When it comes to paying for the MTA, New York City residents and businesses bear a much larger financial burden than we ever knew before,” Comptroller Stringer said. “In addition to the $5.3 billion City residents paid in fares and tolls, New Yorkers paid $4.8 billion in taxes, subsidies and direct expenditures to the MTA last year-that’s the equivalent of every New York City household contributing $130 per month to the MTA’s coffers before they step onto the subway platform or pay a toll. It may be an ‘invisible’ fare, but New York City’s taxpayers feel it in their wallet every month."
When analyzed by ridership in MTA FY 2014, Connecticut provided approximately $156 million less than they consumed in services, while New Jersey’s contribution was $65 million less than their proportional share of MTA services. In MTA FY 2014, New York State paid $603.5 million to the MTA, roughly 4 percent of the Authority’s operating budget. This figure is 1/8th of the amount that the City contributes to the MTA, excluding fares and tolls.
“As a critical engine of our regional economy, the MTA deserves support from every level of government. But any conversation about how to fill the MTA’s budget gap must acknowledge that the City already contributes more to the MTA than it gets back in services, and that Albany must step up to the plate with greater support,” Stringer said.
