Crain’s New York Business recently published an op-ed from Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) President Andrew Rein about how the MTA should solve its $2.5 billion structural operating budget deficit. He wrote: 

“While much discussion focuses on lower ridership depressing fare revenue…the MTA is not merely a victim of circumstance; its structural deficit also is due to its high costs, partly from operating differently than other transit systems…The good news is that solutions that do not sacrifice service or compromise competitiveness exist. Increasing efficiency should be a significant portion of the MTA's gap-closing actions.” 

The article references CBC’s research identifying billions of dollars in potential savings from operating improvements yet to be implemented by MTA. Rein calls for stakeholders to collaborate on needed reforms, before seeking additional revenues or subsidies. 

“The MTA's leadership and labor unions should work together, using the collective wisdom of management and workers, to identify and phase in efficiency reforms. These could narrow the structural gap, support raises workers deserve, likely involve gainsharing, and preserve services critical to New Yorkers' livelihoods and quality of life.”