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(TJV) While New Yorkers brace for new congestion tolls, a Gothamist report warns that taxpayers are getting less in return from a subway system on the verge of collapse.
According to the investigation, the city’s subway system isn’t just struggling—it’s already breaking down. Train delays caused by faulty infrastructure surged by 46% last year compared to 2021, and major incidents delaying 50 or more trains reached their highest level since 2018, per MTA data.
The Gothamist uncovered the subway’s deteriorating state through exclusive tours of restricted facilities and interviews with over 100 riders across nearly every subway line. MTA records suggest service breakdowns may soon exceed those of the infamous 2017 “summer of hell,” when subway reliability hit record lows. Officials cite decades of deferred maintenance, outdated equipment, and chronic underfunding as the root causes, leaving the system vulnerable to widespread disruptions.
The MTA now seeks $65 billion for repairs and upgrades over five years, but Gothamist notes the agency has secured less than half that amount. Lawmakers recently vetoed plans to cover a $33 billion funding gap, with debates over new or dedicated taxes ongoing. The proposed budget excludes $15 billion from Manhattan’s congestion tolls, initially intended for transit improvements but still in limbo.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber maintains that subway service is at its peak, but many trains are barely operational. Experts blame exorbitant construction costs—the highest in the world—for delays and overspending. The Gothamist highlights the East Side Access project, which took 55 years to complete and went $8 billion over budget, as evidence of ongoing inefficiencies.
The report reveals century-old equipment, like pumps at the 116th Street station, struggling to manage flooding. Diesel-powered work trains from the 1960s frequently break down, stalling maintenance. Even repair facilities operate with outdated tools, slowing critical upgrades.
The $65 billion modernization plan includes $700 million for pump upgrades, aiming to prevent flooding and modernize infrastructure. However, experts warn that the system remains fragile, and short-term disruptions will intensify as repairs are carried out.
Weekend commuters already face worsening delays, and the Gothamist warns that relief is still years away, as the MTA grapples with its funding crisis and massive repair backlog.
Read the full investigation here.

