State, NYC Comptrollers to Audit MTA

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and New York City Comptroller John C. Liu announced their offices would conduct a joint audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The comptrollers said the audit would review the fiscal and community impact of subway and commuter rail service disruptions, as well as how effectively and efficiently the MTA managed the planned service changes.

“New Yorkers need the MTA,” Comptroller DiNapoli said. “These are tough fiscal times, but tough times make it even more imperative that the MTA step up and do better.” The comptroller's office said it is the first joint effort between the city and state comptrollers in more than 10 years.

In addition to addressing the fiscal impact upon communities directly affected by MTA service disruptions, the audit will also answer the following questions:

• Is the maintenance and capital work scheduled to promote efficient, cost effective maintenance?
• Is the maintenance and capital work scheduled to minimize service disruption? And,
• Is the riding public adequately informed of potential service disruption?

The audit period will cover January 2009 until the end of the audit field work, scheduled to begin next week.

DiNapoli’s office has several other MTA audits underway, including a review of the MTA’s use of overtime, its salary compensation, and its cash management practices. DiNapoli’s office is now authorized by the recent Public Authority reforms to review the MTA’s big-ticket contracts, which will serve the public interest by providing greater oversight, accountability, and transparency.