Transport Secretary Sean Duffy threatens to withhold federal funding from New York’s MTA if they don’t take action to improve public safety in their transportation system.
“The trends in violent crime, homelessness, and other safety threats in one of our nation’s most prominent metro systems are unacceptable. After years of soft crime policies, our department is stepping in to restore order,” Duffy stated.
“Commuters are tired of feeling they have to risk their safety to get to work, school, or travel around the city. We will continue to fight to make sure federal taxes support crime-free commutes.”
Duffy’s comments come after a violent crime, where a woman was set on fire on the subway and pushed onto the tracks in front of an oncoming train.
He has directed MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber to provide a detailed plan to reduce violence involving transit workers and clients, and to prevent suicide events and “subway surfing.”
“If you want the train to be safe and clean, but you don’t, we’re going to pull the money and give it an incentive to make it happen,” Duffy said on Fox & Friends.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) had previously announced plans to reintroduce bagchecking in the fight against crime on the subway, while Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) has implemented a Metropolitan Safety Plan, which includes conducting 1,000 law enforcement official bag checks and banning people convicted of violent crimes from boarding public transport.
Hochul also highlighted mental illness as a reason for the increased assault on passengers, stating that many incidents involve people with untreated mental illnesses.
As Hochul continues to challenge the Trump administration over tolls, Duffy’s push for stricter subway security measures comes amid controversy over the Trump administration’s revocation of the city’s $9 toll hike to enter parts of Manhattan.
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