Key Takeaways:
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy is pressing the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to take immediate action to address crime, homelessness, and safety issues on subways and buses.
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) warns that failure to comply could result in federal funding being redirected or withheld.
- The MTA must provide a detailed action plan addressing crime reduction, worker safety, fare evasion, and suicide prevention.
- The directive follows broader federal efforts to enhance transportation security nationwide.
DOT Puts Pressure on MTA to Clean Up Transit System
In a new push to improve public safety in one of the nation’s largest transit networks, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has ordered the MTA to take immediate steps to clean up its subways and buses according to a news release yesterday. The move comes amid growing concerns over rising crime, fare evasion, and transit worker safety.
Duffy issued a strongly worded letter to Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the MTA, demanding that the agency outline specific measures it is taking to restore order and protect commuters and transit workers. Failure to act, the letter warns, could result in federal enforcement actions, including the withholding of federal transit funding.
“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 U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “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.”
The letter highlights the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) broader mission under the Trump administration to increase security and enforcement in public transit systems across the country, including Washington, D.C.
DOT Demands Action from MTA
The letter, dated March 18, 2025, requires MTA to provide detailed reports on efforts to:
- Reduce crime, including assaults on riders.
- Address violence against transit workers, who have faced a surge in attacks.
- Prevent injuries and fatalities related to suicide incidents and the dangerous trend of “subway surfing.”
- Crack down on fare evasion, which has cost the system millions in lost revenue.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which oversees public transit agencies, has already taken enforcement action against MTA in the past. In 2024, FTA issued directives requiring more than 700 transit agencies to assess risks and implement strategies to reduce worker assaults. The MTA was one of nine agencies singled out due to high numbers of reported transit worker assaults. The agency was required to submit a risk assessment and mitigation plan, which it did.
Now, the USDOT is demanding further action and an update on previous commitments, including:
- The status of de-escalation training for transit workers.
- The implementation of increased police patrols within subway stations and on buses.
- The expansion of video surveillance systems to deter criminal behavior.
- A detailed breakdown of funding sources being used for security and safety improvements.
Under federal law, transit agencies can use both formula funds and capital grants to enhance safety. USDOT is now requiring full transparency on how the MTA is utilizing these funds.
Federal Pressure on Transit Crime and Safety
This move reflects USDOT’s heightened focus on public safety in transit networks nationwide. In 2024, the FTA issued special directives to MTA and the New York Public Transportation Safety Board, mandating corrective actions to better protect workers who maintain and inspect subway tracks.
Now, with crime continuing to rise on the New York subway system, USDOT is taking a more aggressive approach by threatening federal intervention if MTA fails to comply.
The directive aligns with the Trump administration’s national push for stricter law enforcement policies, particularly in major cities where crime has been a persistent issue.
