Senate Republicans Blast Janno Lieber, Chair Of Mismanaged MTA System

“Janno: pull your head out of your piles of statistics, get out from behind your computer, and walk a mile in your riders’ shoes before you ignore, dismiss and insult them. The people of this state and city deserve the truth and real solutions, not eggheads trying to convince themselves they’re doing a good job. People who rely on the MTA for their daily lives are watching their fellow New Yorkers burned to death, robbed, and assaulted while you tell them not to believe what they see with their own eyes,” said Deputy Senate Republican Leader Lanza.

Today, members of the Senate Republican Conference representing the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island called for the resignation or removal of Janno Lieber as MTA Chairman following his recent comments dismissing New Yorkers who fear the rampant violence that has overtaken the mass transit system. According to Lieber, the horrific subway crime being reported on a near daily basis in the media is all “in people’s heads.” 

“For years, MTA management has been driving the mass transit system into the ground. Now crime is out of control and top bureaucrats at the agency seem blind to the assaults and attacks occurring daily on subway platforms. Millions of New Yorkers distrust the MTA, and we have no confidence in its leadership. That is why my colleagues and I are calling for Janno Lieber to step down as Chairman of the MTA. He has no idea what it is to be a working class New Yorker. While affordability and safety are huge concerns for real people, they are abstract concepts for him. He is unfit to lead, and if he does not step down, Governor Hochul should have enough sense to immediately remove him,” said Senator Steve Rhoads.

“The MTA, Governor Hochul, and the Majorities in the Legislature need to do the right thing for New Yorkers. First, they need to enforce laws that are currently on the books. It is wrong that turnstile jumpers and fare-beaters are forcing others to pay for their free ride. Second, they need to ensure the MTA is spending in a responsible manner. The last thing that should be happening is congestion pricing and other taxes and fees being raised on hardworking New Yorkers,” said Senator Jack M. Martins.

“The comments by Janno Lieber are a slap in the face to every New Yorker who relies on the city’s public transit system. His lack of empathy for the terrifying realities that people he ostensibly serves is appalling, but sadly not surprising. It is time for Janno Lieber to go,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

“In a poll, 64 percent of New Yorkers resoundingly rejected congestion pricing. New Yorkers are now being forced to choose between a burdensome tax or taking your life in your hands on a crime-ridden and deteriorating mass transit system. Recent comments by the MTA Chair are another slap in the face – it’s time for new leadership to get the MTA back on track,” said Senator Steve Chan.

“Albany Democrats claim congestion pricing is to reduce traffic congestion, but at what cost? It punishes everyday people—working parents, firefighters, seniors going to Doctors appointments, and those who already struggle to make ends meet. For them, this isn’t just a toll; it’s another obstacle in their daily lives. Tell me, how is that progressive?" said Senator Bill Weber.

“As a retired police officer and father of a police officer, the statement Mr. Lieber made is insulting and demeaning to the men and women of the NYPD. To have someone in this position say the high crime is in ‘someone’s head’ is shameful to those who go in and do this job, day in and day out, and who go in understaffed. The officers see the disorder in the subway system, they see it at the ground level, and they’re asking for help. They want a government to respond to constituents’ top priority of public safety. It is high time that the city of New York and the state legislature take the responsibility to protect public transportation riders seriously,” said Senator Rob Rolison.

“New Yorkers have had enough. Years of fiscal mismanagement at the MTA have resulted in new and increased fares and tolls just to get to work, and under more dangerous conditions. Janno Lieber’s comments regarding the safety of our subways are tone deaf and insensitive to the plight of New Yorkers who commute daily in fear. The MTA must come to grips with reality and make safety and affordability a priority in 2025,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo.

“As New Yorkers, we should expect our mass transit system to be, "the best in the world"... Instead, because of the incredible mismanagement that occurs on a daily basis, our system is a disgrace. Riders don't feel safe and they certainly don't think they are getting the most for their money. The hundreds of millions lost annually to waste and mismanagement is reason enough to remove Janno Lieber and instead, appoint a financial control board to manage the MTA's finances. That needs to happen NOW,” said Senator Dean Murray.

“MTA Chair Janno Lieber in a despicable show of glee and greed, cheered and celebrated as the New Year turned so he could kick off congestion pricing. Instead of finding ways to add trains and customize service for commuters now forced to use mass transit, Lieber celebrated that not only is Congestion Pricing in full swing, but that fares have gone up on trains and tolls, as he ignores turnstile jumpers and fare evaders. He criticized commuters saying, “subway crime is in riders' heads,” dismissing the horrific subway tragedies that have recently been reported. MTA has always been mismanaged but never as much as under the so-called leadership of Chair Lieber. It’s clear, it’s time for him to go! It’s time for a Financial Review Board to step in and bring some sanity to the MTA,” said Senator Alexis Weik.