Governor Kathy Hochul has criticized recent federal decisions that eliminated counterterrorism funding for New York’s mass transit system. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was expecting to receive $34 million from the federal Transit Security Grant Program, which supports security and anti-terrorism efforts in transit systems nationwide. However, lawmakers learned last week that the MTA would be the only one among 21 applicants not to receive these funds.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe, from our streets to our subways, is my highest priority,” said Governor Hochul. “Since 9/11, New York has relied on federal support to ensure that our transit system has the counterterrorism resources it needs to keep millions of riders safe every single day. The shocking actions of Washington Republicans to slash these funds and defund the police put New York City at risk. We will not tolerate these cuts; New York will take every action available to us — including the courts — to ensure the MTA gets this critical funding to keep millions of riders safe.”
The Transit Security Grant Program began after 9/11 and is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It provides financial support for measures aimed at protecting mass transit systems from security threats. The MTA handles over 6 million daily trips on Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road, and New York City Transit.
If awarded this year’s grant funding, the MTA planned several initiatives: two cybersecurity projects; replacement and expansion of tactical cellular cameras; extending chemical detection systems across subway lines; providing mandated security awareness training for 16,000 employees; deploying MTAPD counterterrorism teams; procuring response vehicles; and installing new surveillance equipment at a major subway complex.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber commented: “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, MTA has made huge progress on every front – safety, reliability and ridership. It’s truly strange that Washington keeps spinning stories about subway crime, but then defunds the NYPD and MTA cops who patrol the system.”
Michael Kemper, Chief Security Officer of the MTA added: “I can’t overstate the importance of this grant funding in reinforcing and advancing our counterterrorism initiatives. It significantly enhances our operational capabilities, all with the goal of providing a safe and secure transit environment for our riders and workforce — a responsibility we take seriously every single day.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated: “The NYPD’s counterterrorism operations are essential to keeping people safe both above ground and below ground on our subways. Withholding these critical funds from the busiest transit system in the country is a profound mistake, and one that will make New York City’s subways meaningfully less safe. Counterterrorism operations – and public safety in general – cannot be politicized, and I thank Governor Hochul for her efforts to ensure the NYPD has the resources it needs to protect New Yorkers.”
After news broke regarding loss of funding for its security program, legal action was taken by the Office of the New York Attorney General in federal court. The Southern District of New York issued a Temporary Restraining Order preventing FEMA from moving forward with cutting off funds while litigation proceeds. FEMA has yet to formally inform MTA whether its funding will be restored.
New York State continues investments aimed at improving subway safety through increased police presence—including overnight train patrols introduced following Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address—and infrastructure upgrades such as LED lighting in stations and installation of platform edge barriers.
Recent data shows significant reductions in crime throughout NYC’s subway system: September saw a 31 percent decrease compared with September 2024; year-to-date figures indicate an overall decline of 4.3 percent compared with last year; major crimes during summer reached their lowest since 2009; felony assaults were down each month this summer compared with previous years.
Last week Governor Hochul also succeeded in restoring $187 million in homeland security funds previously set for elimination by Homeland Security officials—funds deemed crucial for agencies across New York State.
