NY lawmakers call for subway chief's removal following dismissive comment about crime: 'In people's heads'

The governor-appointed chairman of the New York City transit system was called for removal by New York lawmakers due to allegations that he minimized a series of subway crimes to commend new Manhattan tolls that aim to encourage passengers to travel underground.

On a Bloomberg podcast, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber stated that crime on the MTA has decreased and that recent viral incidents are giving the impression of a system-wide safety crisis.

Last year, we had 12.5% less crime than 2019, resulting in positive overall stats.

"Some high-profile incidents, including terrible attacks, have made people feel less safe about the whole system."

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., posted a video of Janno Lieber unveiling one of the new "Congestion Pricing" setups near Lincoln Center and stated that the agency requires an enema, beginning with Lieber.

"Lawler wrote that Hochul needs to be defeated in 2026, stating, "Imagine being such a jerk to take away New Yorkers' hard-earned money just to drive to work and celebrate it.""

In response, Lieber accused Lawler of engaging in "grievance politics," as he told MSNBC.

According to Lieber, a majority of Lawler's constituents living in suburbs 30 miles north of the city use mass transit, while only 1% make the daily commute to the congestion-pricing zone.

The new $9 toll to enter any part of Manhattan below Central Park has infuriated both commuters and residents within its boundaries.

The Queensboro Bridge's Upper Level was the last unaffected entry to Manhattan for commuters from Long Island, but they encountered a bottleneck while trying to access it.

Despite their attempts to avoid it, residents of an East Side luxury building were forced to pass through a toll gantry when exiting their building, even if they were heading uptown. Meanwhile, outer neighborhoods prepared for an influx of suburbanites seeking parking to avoid the toll.

Lanza, a New York Senate Deputy Minority Leader representing Staten Island, criticized Lieber.

Lanza said, "Before dismissing, insulting, or ignoring your riders, walk a mile in their shoes and pull your head out of your statistics piles and computer."

"The residents of this state and city are entitled to authentic answers and practical resolutions, rather than self-satisfied officials attempting to deceive themselves into believing their performance is adequate."

Sen. Bill Weber of Valley Cottage stated: "Albany Democrats assert that congestion pricing aims to alleviate traffic congestion, but at what expense? It imposes a penalty on ordinary individuals—working parents, firefighters, elderly people visiting doctors, and those who already face financial difficulties."

"How is that progressive?" he asked, as for them, this wasn't just a toll but another obstacle in their daily lives.

Previously, Sen. Steve Rhoads of Nassau joked that the MTA's acronym stands for "Money Thrown Away." This week, he stated that his constituents who use the LIRR have become increasingly distrustful of the agency.

"Rhoads stated that "[Lieber] lacks knowledge about what it means to be a working-class New Yorker," and that while affordability and safety are significant issues for common people, they are abstract notions for him."

Previously, Lieber worked as an executive at Silverstein Properties, overseeing a World Trade Center project, served as a transportation adviser to President Bill Clinton and Mayor Ed Koch, and was a journalist for the New Republic.

As the MTA's capital development officer under Gov. Andrew Cuomo, he was also responsible for overseeing the agency's capital projects.

Despite his continued support for the congestion pricing plan, Cuomo has expressed reservations about activating tolls at this time due to concerns about subway safety and changes in the city since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi stated that New York is vastly different from what it was in 2019, and without a fact-based study predicting its outcomes, it could hinder New York City's recovery.

Sen. Weik, R-Suffolk, criticized the video of Lieber's sign-reveal as a "despicable show of glee and greed" and urged a financial review board to examine the MTA's financial records.

The MTA Chief of Policy & External Relations, John J. McCarthy, defended transit boss Lieber in the face of calls for his removal.

"The MTA has improved service, expanded terminals, and achieved record on-time performance under Chair Lieber's leadership on Long Island and the Hudson Valley, while maintaining the most reliable subway service in a decade," McCarthy stated.

"But apparently, none of that prevents out-of-touch politicians from bloviating."