The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) saw its payroll reach a record-high of $7.8 billion in 2023, according to the Empire Center for Public Policy. This represented a significant increase of $663 million, or 9%, from the previous year. Additionally, the agency’s overtime spending also surged by $75 million to a total of $1.37 billion, with 724 employees each earning more than $100,000 in overtime during the year.
Among the MTA’s eight subsidiaries, the Long Island Rail Road’s employees had the highest per-worker overtime, averaging $26,028 in 2023. Furthermore, the agency’s subsidiaries paid out $261 million in retroactive pay, as determined by the Empire Center through payroll records. MTA spokesperson Joana Flores defended the agency’s overtime spending, stating that it is authorized in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and is essential to keeping trains running and the system safe. Flores also highlighted the agency’s improved service and on-time performance as a result of strategic overtime use.
Despite the record-high payroll and overtime spending, Flores emphasized that the MTA’s overall budget is down in real dollars compared to previous years. She credited the agency’s strategic use of overtime for the decreased crime rates and improved on-time performance. Flores noted that the MTA has been able to provide more service with record on-time performance as a result of the increased number of trains in service, which she attributed to the use of overtime as a strategic tool.
The Empire Center pointed out that the previous record for MTA overtime spending was in 2018, when it totaled $1.35 billion. The significant increase in overtime spending in 2023 raised concerns about the agency’s financial management practices and prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability in its budgeting process. The Empire Center’s findings shed light on the extent of overtime usage within the MTA, particularly among employees earning six-figure overtime payments.
Overall, the MTA’s record-high payroll and overtime spending in 2023 reflect the ongoing challenges facing the agency in managing its budget and ensuring the efficient operation of its transportation services. The significant increase in spending highlights the need for increased oversight and scrutiny of the agency’s financial practices to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and efficiently. Moving forward, continued monitoring of the MTA’s budget and spending practices will be essential to address concerns about excessive overtime usage and ensure the long-term sustainability of the agency’s operations.
