NY lawmakers demand subway chief’s ouster after comment dismissive of crime issue: ‘In people’s heads’
New York lawmakers are calling for the firing of Janno Lieber, the governor-appointed chairman of the New York City transit system, amid accusations that he downplayed a recent rash of subway crime in order to promote new Manhattan tolls aimed at driving commuters underground.
Lieber, in a recent podcast interview, argued that crime on the MTA has actually declined, citing statistics that showed a 12.5% decrease in crime from 2019 to last year. However, he acknowledged that high-profile incidents have created a perception of a safety crisis within the system.
Critics, including Rep. Michael Lawler, have slammed Lieber for celebrating the implementation of new “Congestion Pricing” tolls, which charge drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below Central Park. Lawler called for Lieber’s removal, accusing him of being out of touch with the concerns of everyday New Yorkers.
The tolls have sparked outrage among commuters and residents, with Long Island commuters facing bottlenecks and residents of affected neighborhoods bracing for an influx of suburbanites seeking to avoid the toll.
State lawmakers, including Sen. Andrew Lanza and Sen. Bill Weber, have criticized Lieber for prioritizing statistics over the real concerns of working-class New Yorkers. They argue that the tolls will disproportionately impact those who are already struggling financially.
Despite the backlash, Lieber’s chief of policy and external relations, John J. McCarthy, defended his leadership, citing improvements in service and on-time performance under his tenure. However, calls for Lieber’s ouster continue to grow, with State Sen. Alexis Weik calling for a financial review of the transit agency.
In response to the mounting pressure, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a strong supporter of congestion pricing, expressed reservations about the timing of the tolls given the current state of the city post-COVID-19. Cuomo’s spokesman emphasized the need for a study to assess the impact of the tolls on New York City’s recovery.
As the controversy surrounding Lieber and the congestion pricing plan continues to escalate, New York lawmakers are calling for accountability and transparency in the management of the MTA. The fate of Lieber and the tolls remains uncertain as the debate over the future of New York City’s transit system rages on.
