MTA CFO Jai Patel on Ridership, Fare Evasion, and Congestion Pricing

Ridership Recovery and Financial Projections

• 🎯 Weekday subway ridership is currently 25% below pre-COVID levels, with projections aiming for an 80% recovery by 2029.
• 📈 Railroad ridership is recovering more strongly, already at 85% of pre-pandemic levels.
• 💰 The MTA plans small, predictable 2% fare increases every other year to balance its financial plan and avoid burdening specific rider groups.

Strategies to Increase Ridership

• 🛠️ The MTA is focused on providing reliable, on-time performance and ensuring customers feel safe to encourage subway use.
• ✅ Customer surveys indicate satisfaction with current service, and safety metrics have shown improvement, with the lowest crime numbers in July.

Financial Challenges and Funding

• ⚠️ The MTA faces a combined $1.1 billion deficit over three years starting in 2027 and already owes nearly $50 billion.
• 🤝 The agency secured state and federal aid in 2023 to address a fiscal cliff, unlike other transit agencies facing cuts.
• 💸 Farebox revenue, which accounts for 26% of the MTA's revenue, is crucial for operations, covering labor and contracts.

Combating Fare Evasion

• 📉 Efforts on subways have reduced fare evasion by 30%, dropping the rate from 14% to 9.8% through measures like gate guards and exit gate enforcement.
• 🚌 On buses, fare evasion has decreased from 50% to 44% with the implementation of