NYC transit advocates rally for more MTA funding

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Transit advocates are calling for more MTA funding as the agency is set to vote on its five-year capital plan on Wednesday.

Members of the Riders Alliance argue that what the MTA is proposing is not enough. The $68 billion plan focuses on improving subway accessibility with more elevators, new cars, zero-emission buses and equipping stations to handle flooding and extreme heat.

Congestion pricing, which was supposed to be implemented this summer, was expected to help the MTA's budget. Cars driving below 60th Street would be charged $15 daily to enter Manhattan's Central Business District.

Gov. Kathy Hochul delayed congestion pricing indefinitely.

Riders will rally over the loss of upgrades to 23 stations with elevators.

While some lawmakers argued the agency must do better in collecting the $700 million lost every year by fare beaters, MTA CEO and chair Janno Lieber said it's a partnership between the agency and the state.

Proponents of improving mass transit also argued that it's taking longer for police, firefighters and EMS to respond to emergencies.