Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Agency Web Site: https://www.mta.info/

Mission

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving public transportation in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD), comprising New York City and the counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. The Authority oversees the operations of the New York City bus and subway systems, the regional commuter railroads, seven bridges, and two tunnels located in New York City. This oversight includes development and financing of the operating and capital programs.

Organization and Staffing

The MTA is governed by a 17-member Board, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Six members are nominated by the Governor, four by the Mayor of New York, and seven by the other counties in the District. The Board membership casts 14 votes, as four members (representing Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland counties) receive one collective vote.

The MTA Board in CY 2021 will oversee approximately 73,500 employees and an annual operating budget of over $16 billion. In addition to MTA Headquarters, there are six operating agencies: New York City Transit; MTA Bus Company; Metro-North Railroad; Long Island Rail Road; MTA Bridges and Tunnels; and MTA Construction & Development.

Budget Highlights

Within the Department of Transportation budget, the Executive Budget recommends appropriations sufficient to provide $5.2 billion in transit operating aid to the MTA. Of this amount, approximately $3 billion is appropriated aid, including $145 million for leveling the playing field between brick and mortar and online retailers enacted in FY 2020, and $2.2 billion will be provided directly to the MTA without appropriation. Of the $2.2 billion, approximately $1.43 billion is from the Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT), $313 million is from the For-Hire Vehicle Congestion Surcharge, $281 million is from MTA Aid Trust revenues, and $190 million is from the progressive tax on high-end real estate sales enacted in FY 2020.

The Executive Budget continues the State's $3 billion capital contribution to the MTA’s $51.5 billion 2020-2024 Capital Plan. This is in addition to the $25 billion to be raised directly by the MTA from revenues from the Central Business District Tolling Program, progressive tax on high-end real estate sales, and from leveling the playing field between brick and mortar and online retailers, all of which were enacted in the FY 2020 Budget.

The Executive Budget continues the Governor's multi-year, historic commitment of $9.1 billion in State resources toward funding the MTA's $31 billion 2015-2019 Capital Plan.

The Executive Budget also includes $848 million of contingent appropriations for the MTA. These appropriations, from the Dedicated Mass Transportation Trust Fund and the MTA Financial Assistance Fund, would be used to ensure continuation of aid payments to the MTA during FY 2023 in the event of a temporary lack of new appropriations due to a late budget.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Transportation (PDF)

Program Highlights

New York City Transit and the MTA Bus Company: The 2021 MTA Budget includes approximately 53,000 personnel, who are collectively responsible for providing safe, reliable, and efficient subway service; for operating the Staten Island Railway; and for providing bus service throughout the City of New York. In a typical year, 2.4 billion rides occur.

Metro North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road: Employ approximately 15,500 personnel, who provide commuter rail service to the northern regions, ranging from Manhattan and the Bronx through the northern suburbs and Connecticut, and the eastern regions, ranging from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens through Nassau and Suffolk counties. In a typical year, over 175 million rides are provided.

MTA Bridges & Tunnels: With a staff of approximately 1,500 dedicated workers, facilitates road transportation by connecting the boroughs of New York City through seven bridges and two tunnels. In a typical year, 330 million vehicle crossings occur. Bridges & Tunnels recently moved to Open Road Tolling, which has successfully relieved congestion – increasing travel times and improving the environment.

MTA Construction & Development: With roughly 160 employees, delivers new and improved capital facilities for the MTA’s customer base. These projects include East Side Access, Penn Access, Moynihan Station, the Second Avenue Subway, LIRR Expansion (Third Track), and various other system improvements.

Additionally, approximately 3,400 staff based at MTA Headquarters perform such duties as information technology, public safety, financial management, legal representation, and human resource administration.

As part of the MTA’s transformation plan, all of these employees will work together seamlessly to operate, maintain, and construct a better MTA for the millions of riders who rely on MTA service every day.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/19/2021