New York officials are urging the federal government to increase aid to New York City’s public transit system despite the Trump administration's threats to cut back funding. Governor Kathy Hochul sent a letter to President Donald Trump and other Republican officials requesting a bigger federal funding contribution to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Currently, the MTA carries 43% of the nation’s mass transit riders but gets only 17% of federal funding, which Hochul sees as a major discrepancy.

Hochul's letter asks for a realignment of New York's federal formula funding for the MTA to better reflect the system's ridership. This request comes after a tense week between the state and the Trump administration, where the MTA was asked to address subway crime concerns and to suspend its congestion pricing program. Hochul, along with other state officials, stood firm against these demands, emphasizing the need for fair federal funding to support New York's public transit improvements.

The MTA is in the midst of a $68 billion multi-year capital plan to upgrade its aging infrastructure and enhance service quality. The plan includes replacing old rail cars, upgrading power substations, and renovating Grand Central Terminal's deteriorating train shed. Despite efforts to improve subway safety and reduce crime, federal support is crucial to ensure the MTA can meet the needs of its riders and modernize its system effectively.