Governor Kathy Hochul revealed Thursday that the finalized state budget includes a massive boost in funding for New York’s subway network, with a central focus on bolstering rider security.
Hochul emphasized that the state will fully back the MTA’s entire $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029, calling it the largest infrastructure commitment to public transit in New York’s history.
In addition to infrastructure funding, the state is allocating more than $120 million to expand the presence of uniformed law enforcement personnel, including both state police and members of the National Guard.
“The alternative is unfathomable—not to have a fully functioning, funded, efficient system to carry 6 million people a day,” Hochul said.
The sweeping capital plan features a host of projects, such as the long-discussed Interborough Express connecting Brooklyn and Queens via light rail, as well as significant repairs, upgrades, and enhanced enforcement to curb fare evasion.
The announcement came during a press conference at Grand Central station, where Hochul appeared alongside MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber to present the transportation components of the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Hochul highlighted recent progress, pointing to an 11% reduction in subway-related crime and fare-skipping compared to last year, and promised further investments to build on that momentum.
She outlined a number of transit safety upgrades, including enhanced LED lighting, new protective platform barriers at 100 subway stations, and modern fare gates at over 150 locations—measures designed to deter what she called “shameless fare evaders.”
Beyond policing and physical upgrades, the budget also dedicates funding to services targeting homelessness and mental illness within the subway system, with expanded support for Safe Options Support (SOS) outreach teams.
{Matzav.com}