Key Takeaways:
- Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy threatens to cut federal funds to cities with unsafe public transit systems.
- Duffy singled out New York’s subway system, blaming Governor Kathy Hochul for failing to address safety issues.
- New York officials claim subway crime has dropped due to increased police presence.
- Duffy insists cities must prioritize safety and efficiency to receive federal transportation funding.
Federal Funds on the Line: What You Need to Know
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy recently appeared on Fox News, where he made a bold statement about the future of federal funding for public transportation. Duffy warned that cities with unsafe or poorly managed transit systems could lose out on federal money. He specifically called out New York’s struggling subway system, placing blame on Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.
Duffy’s comments came after a series of violent incidents in New York’s subway system, including shootings and assaults. He criticized what he sees as a lack of progress in making the subways safer for riders.
Subway Safety in the Spotlight
Duffy argued that while Democratic mayors like Eric Adams encourage people to use public transit, they fail to make it safe. He said, “Transit across America is dangerous. These liberal mayors want everyone out of cars and into trains, but they make the trains unsafe, so no one really wants to ride them.”
He also pointed out that while some people feel safe riding the subway during the day, nighttime trips can feel risky, even for men. “If it’s in the morning or at night, even big men don’t want to ride the subway,” Duffy added.
New York’s Response to Rising Crime
New York officials have tried to address the safety concerns. As of April 2024, the city has increased police presence in the subway system. Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta claim these efforts have led to historic lows in subway crime. Adams even invited Duffy to see the improvements firsthand, taking him on a tour of the city’s public transportation system.
Despite these claims, Duffy remains unconvinced. He believes the real problem lies with Governor Hochul’s handling of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). “This is really a failure of the governor of New York,” he said.
The Fight Over Funding and Accountability
Duffy made it clear that federal funding for transit systems will depend on how cities manage their money and prioritize safety. He criticized Hochul for not focusing enough on security and efficiency. “They have homelessness and crazy people that live and reside inside of subways. So it’s unacceptable,” he said.
He also suggested that New York needs to do more to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in its transit system. “We need to send DOGE into the MTA and actually look at how they spend their money,” Duffy said, referring to a popular cryptocurrency often used as a meme.
Hochul’s Plan to Fix the Subway System
Governor Hochul has proposed new initiatives to protect subway riders and workers. These include stationing 750 NYPD officers throughout the city and adding 300 more in train cars. While these steps aim to address safety concerns, Duffy says they don’t go far enough.
“Our position is, if you don’t clean up your act, we’re not going to invest in you,” Duffy said. “We’ll make those investments as taxpayers if you do it well and have beautiful trains that are on time, that are safe. But if you don’t, we’re going to pull the money and put it somewhere else.”
The Bottom Line: Safety First
For cities like New York, the stakes are high. If they can’t show improvement in safety and efficiency, they risk losing critical federal funding for their transit systems. While New York officials insist they’re making progress, Duffy and others remain skeptical.
Only time will tell if New York can turn its subway system around and secure the federal funds it needs. One thing is certain: the debate over transit safety and funding is far from over. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.