The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday asked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to outline all of their security and safety measures they have implemented on the transit system or otherwise face a funding hold.
In a letter directed to Janno Lieber, the MTA chair and chief executive officer, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy asked the agency to outline what actions the New York City Transit Authority is taking to restore safety and regain the traveling public’s trust.
Specifically, the letter requires the MTA to provide detailed information about plans to:
- reduce crime, including assaults on customers;
- address violence against transit workers;
- reduce injuries and fatalities from suicide events and “subway surfing,” the dangerous practice of riding atop subway cars in service; and
- deter fare evasion.
“The trend of violent crime, homelessness, and other threats to public safety on one of our nation’s most prominent metro systems is unacceptable. After years of soft-on-crime policies, our Department is stepping in to restore order,” said Duffy in a statement. “Commuters are sick and tired of feeling like they have to jeopardize their safety to get to work, go to school, or to travel around the city. We will continue to fight to ensure their federal tax dollars are going towards a crime-free commute.”
Duffy gave the MTA a March 31 deadline. Otherwise, the agency will redirect of hold federal funds, the letter said.
