A financial oversight agency in New York City has released a report indicating that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) could face a budget shortfall of nearly $900 million in the coming years. The report, released on November 2, recommends a gradual transition to a single-operator model for train operations to reduce labor costs.
The proposal has been met with strong opposition from transportation workers’ unions, who argue that employee rights and passenger safety should not be compromised for the sake of budget cuts.
The non-profit fiscal watchdog group, Citizens Budget Commission (CBC), published a report titled “Next Stop: MTA Efficiency Reforms.” The report highlights that while the MTA’s budget for 2026 may remain balanced, a deficit of $295 million is anticipated in 2027. This gap is expected to widen to $507 million in 2028, reach $707 million in 2029, and further escalate to $897 million by 2030.
The CBC report points out that the MTA’s spending is growing at a rate that outpaces traditional fare revenue increases, indicating a pressing need for reform. To address this, the CBC suggests measures such as improving subway maintenance efficiency, speeding up bus transit times, adjusting train crew configurations, and reforming employee and retiree healthcare benefits. Implementing these measures could potentially save up to $2.5 billion annually by 2029.
Among the most contentious recommendations is the plan for “One Person Train Operation” (OPTO). Currently, the majority of subway trains in New York are operated by two staff members: a train operator who drives the train and a conductor who manages door operations and announcements. The CBC proposes to gradually increase the use of single-operator trains by reducing the number of conductors, which could lead to a reduction of about 1,140 positions and annual savings of approximately $238 million. If this policy were to be universally applied across the system, the potential yearly savings could approach $500 million.
The report notes that the 7 and L lines have already implemented communication-based train control technology, enabling trains to operate automatically and broadcast messages. In these cases, the operator mainly monitors the system, while conductors remain responsible for door operations. Eliminating conductor positions on these lines could save an estimated $36.5 million each year.
According to the CBC, the one-person operation model is widely adopted internationally. Of the over 400 subway and railway lines studied, approximately 94% utilize a single operator. The agency believes that with advancements in signaling systems and train technology, it is essential for New York to similarly modernize its staffing configurations.
However, this recommendation has sparked significant backlash from unions. John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), expressed in a statement to media outlet Gothamist that these proposals have been recurring for years, essentially placing the burden of the MTA’s budget deficit on the workers.
The role of conductors is critical to passenger safety. In instances of train malfunctions, delays, or emergencies, conductors assist in delivering information to passengers, maintaining safety at doors and platforms, and coordinating evacuations.
A 2025 investigation report by the New York State MTA Inspector General also emphasized the vital role of train staff in providing information to passengers during delays and preventing individuals from accessing the tracks unsafely.
Currently, the MTA is in the midst of labor negotiations with unions representing approximately 40,000 subway and bus employees. Additionally, the New York State Legislature has proposed a bill to ensure that at least one conductor remains on every subway train, though the relevant legislation is still awaiting further action.
The aforementioned agencies stress the importance of reforming in collaboration with the unions. They believe that implementation could be gradually achieved through staff reassignments, natural attrition, and retraining, rather than necessitating direct layoffs.