New York’s Metro Transit Authority (MTA) was in the news last month for setting a world record for the sheer number of bus and rail patrons who refuse to pay a fare to ride. A full 48% of bus riders had ceased to pay the fare in addition to about 14% of subway riders. Now the MTA has approved a new capital plan, saying it needs $65.4 billion over the next several years to keep the system going.
Much of the plan focuses on basic repairs, like upgrading decades-old electrical equipment and repairing elevated subway structures. There’s spending for new turnstiles and 2,000 new subway and commuter railroad train cars.
But at least one watchdog has already suggested the new plan is unrealistic and needs to be pared down.
Fiscal watchdogs at the Citizens Budget Commission argue the MTA should focus on maintaining the existing transit system instead of committing billions of dollars to…
