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By: Marco Esquandolas
The New York Post reports that two employees of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have been exposed for engaging in questionable activities during their work shifts.
The MTA Inspector General’s Office initiated an investigation into the two employees, a male transit maintenance supervisor and a female structure maintainer, following a public complaint that accused them of drinking on the job and purchasing contraband items.
In May 2022, investigators conducted surveillance on the employees at MTA trailers on West 44th Street in Midtown West. They observed the employees interacting with four individuals, exchanging money for undisclosed goods. Notably, the supervisor was witnessed brandishing a knife and threatening one of the visitors.
A week later, inspectors confronted the workers, who initially denied the allegations until they were informed that they had been under surveillance. They subsequently confessed to their activities. Additionally, the supervisor retrieved a 1.75-liter bottle of Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky from his work locker, admitting to consuming it within the trailer after his shift concluded at 3:00 p.m.
Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against both employees, although their names were not disclosed in the report. The supervisor retired on December 2, 2022, as part of an agreement with the transit authority. Disciplinary actions involving the structure maintainer, who has been with the MTA since 2019, are ongoing.
The employees had been assigned to a project involving the replacement and repair of subway grates along Eighth Avenue. During their shift on May 18, 2022, they interacted with four different individuals on five occasions, exchanging money for unspecified items.
The report details multiple instances of the employees engaging with unknown individuals during their work hours, including exchanging cash for goods and receiving a bag of unknown items. The supervisor’s use of a small knife to intimidate one individual was also documented.
Meanwhile in other MTA news, in August the fare increase kicked in.
Subway and bus fares have increased from $2.75 to $2.90.
The MTA last raised fares for weekly and monthly MetroCards in 2019, but this is the first time base fares have spiked since 2015.
“Rather than having massive fare increases whenever the MTA hits a financial wall, we should have incremental and predictable, 2%-a-year fare increase. We’re going back to that, that’s predictable for our riders and it’s a small bite,” MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said.
Riders have reported that this “small bite” adds up, but for the MTA, this fare increase is worth about $305 million, ABC news reported.
NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad fares went up 4%.
Tolls on nine MTA bridges and tunnels went up an average of 5.5% and as much as 10% for those who don’t have E-Z Pass.
The MTA also raised fares on express buses and monthly MetroCards.
Express bus fares are now $7, up from $6.75.
