The Trump administration this week reiterated a warning that it would withhold federal funding from the MTA if the agency does not improve safety for maintenance workers.
On Tuesday, Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro announced it had issued a final notice to city officials, calling on the local government to conduct a risk assessment and take steps toward remediation.
“I am disturbed by MTA’s failure to reinforce safety measures following serious accidents — one resulting in the death of a transit worker,” Molinaro said in a statement. “We will not accept being jerked around on safety and security issues any longer.”
What You Need To Know
Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro called on the local government to conduct a risk assessment and take steps toward remediation
MTA officials pushed back, accusing the federal government of retaliation for its refusal to dismantle New York’s congestion pricing program
Molinaro ordered the MTA to strengthen protections for track workers, setting a 30-day deadline to submit a revised safety risk assessment or face enforcement actions
The Trump administration has threatened the MTA’s federal funding multiple times over the last several months
MTA officials pushed back, accusing the federal government of retaliation for its refusal to dismantle New York’s congestion pricing program.
The tolling system, which began in January, charges drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district and has been the center of a back-and-forth battle between the federal government and the MTA for months.
Molinaro ordered the MTA to strengthen protections for track workers, setting a 30-day deadline to submit a revised safety risk assessment or face enforcement actions, including the loss of up to 25% of federal financial assistance.
He specifically pointed to the death of an MTA track worker in November 2023, who was struck by a D train as he monitored the rails during track cleaning. He also highlighted an incident in June 2024 in which a 64-year-old worker suffered head trauma after being hit by an F train at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station.
Molinaro added that the agency’s two previous safety risk assessments failed to account for rising risks and excluded key data.
John McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, said in a statement that safety questions were answered seven months ago.
“Clearly this was not urgent for Washington until it was decided it was time to fire off yet another letter and press release in what is a pattern of threatening letters and punitive actions by U.S. DOT following New York’s successful implementation of the first in nation Congestion Pricing program,” McCarthy said.
MTA officials noted they have held regular meetings with federal regulators to discuss worker safety since last fall.
The Trump administration has already issued several deadlines for the MTA to shut down congestion pricing, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning the state risks losing federal approvals and funding if the tolling system remains in place.
