Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Agency Web Site: http://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, Rockland, and Putnam counties) receive one collective vote.

The Chairman of the Board is also the Chief Executive Officer, and oversees approximately 72,700 employees, an annual operating budget of almost $16 billion, and a five-year capital program of almost $30 billion. In addition to MTA Headquarters, he directs six operating agencies: New York City Transit; MTA Bus Company; Metro-North Railroad; Long Island Rail Road; MTA Bridges and Tunnels; and MTA Capital Construction.

Budget Highlights

Within the Department of Transportation budget, the Executive Budget recommends $4.5 billion in transit aid appropriations to the MTA, an increase of $30 million (0.67 percent) from last year. The recommended MTA aid level includes $244 million in General Fund support, continuing past practice of partially offsetting the revenue impact of the 2011 payroll tax reform on the MTA.

The Executive Budget continues the Governor's multi-year commitment of $8.3 billion in State resources toward funding the MTA's $26.6 billion 2015-2019 capital plan, which provides for improvement of capital facilities operated by the New York City Transit Authority, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bus Company, and other system-wide initiatives. In addition to the $2.9 billion authorized in the FY 2017 appropriation, this budget includes an appropriation authorizing another $1.5 billion towards the plan, and spending will continue from the $1 billion in FY 2016 appropriations: $750 million to support the MTA’s 2015-19 core capital program, and $250 million to advance the MTA’s Penn Station Access project.

Apart from the State’s $8.3 billion pledge towards the MTA’s 2015-2019 capital plan, spending will also continue from the $770 million FY 2013 appropriation for MTA capital and the $1.45 billion dedicated to the MTA from the 2005 Transportation Bond Act.

The Executive Budget also includes over $2.4 billion of contingent appropriations for the MTA. These appropriations, from the Dedicated Mass Transportation Trust Fund and the MTA Financial Assistance Fund, are used to ensure continuation of aid payments to the MTA in the event of a temporary lack of new appropriations due to a late budget for the subsequent State fiscal year.

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: Employ approximately 53,500 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. Ridership exceeds 2.55 billion trips per year.

Metro North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road: Employ approximately 14,400 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. These facilities provide over 170 million rides annually.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels: With a staff of approximately 1,600 dedicated workers, facilitates road transportation by connecting the boroughs of New York City through 7 bridges and 2 tunnels. Almost 300 million vehicle crossings occur annually.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels will be implementing automatic or “Open Road Tolling” at its facilities throughout 2017. This will enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion, and decrease commute times. The agency is also engaging in flood control, seismic retrofit, anti-terrorism, and aesthetic improvements.

MTA Capital Construction: With its over 100 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, Ronkonkoma Double Track, and various other upgrades and improvements throughout the system.

Additionally, the approximately 3,000 staff based at MTA Headquarters perform such duties as information technology, public safety, financial management, and human resource administration.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017