Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took a ride on the New York City subway on April 4th, along with Mayor Adams, to criticize the safety and financial management of the subway system. Duffy expressed willingness to introduce the Government Efficiency Department led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to assist in reviewing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) fund utilization.
During his trip on the B line in Brooklyn, Duffy got off in Manhattan after just two stops, stating that the subway system still falls short in terms of cleanliness and safety. He mentioned encountering a passenger who appeared to have mental health issues at a station, criticizing the inhumane practice of allowing mentally ill individuals to live homeless in the subway.
“I’m not sure if he had lost control of his bodily functions, but this should not happen in the American subway system,” Duffy said.
Furthermore, he reiterated his opposition to the congestion pricing plan in Manhattan, criticizing it as unfair and classist, forcing middle and low-income groups to choose the subway while treating driving as the privilege of the elite.
In response, Avi Small, a spokesperson for Governor Hochul, stated, “The Secretary clearly knows nothing about the public transportation system he is commenting on. We encourage him to visit Manhattan again, like 90% of business district commuters, to actually ride the subway or bus.”
Despite Duffy’s numerous criticisms of the subway, Mayor Adams expressed gratitude, stating he hopes to establish closer cooperation with federal officials to secure funds for improving city infrastructure, including outdated facilities like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).
“Our city is the nation’s economic engine, and I hope every Secretary can see firsthand that the federal government should provide more support,” Adams said.
According to recent statistics from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), subway crime rates have decreased by 22% compared to the same period last year, reaching one of the lowest points in nearly 15 years. However, Duffy’s concerns about subway safety do not appear to have been alleviated.
Regarding MTA’s financial issues, Duffy questioned the high cost of the Second Avenue subway extension project, which is estimated to cost $7.7 billion, with an average construction cost of $4.3 billion per mile. He criticized MTA for signing a $250 million consultant contract, stating, “Someone definitely made a fortune out of this.”
He mentioned that the Government Efficiency Department has the ability to eliminate government waste, fraud, and abuse, saying, “I know some people in Washington who are very good at uncovering budget loopholes. I will recommend experts from DOGE to review MTA’s books to help them use taxpayer money more efficiently.”