The problems with the New York City transit system

See New York, the Supplicant State: Albany begs the GOP to rescue the state’s failing subways—again. WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"New York City region’s compact geography makes mass transit an efficient alternative to driving. Or at least it did until the subway lines began breaking down with greater frequency from years of neglect, and crime spiked owing to progressive policing. As a result, daily subway and bus ridership remains about 1.6 million lower than before the pandemic.

Democrats say ridership is increasing thanks to their new $9 congestion tax on drivers entering Manhattan’s business district, but the MTA’s data doesn’t show it. By our calculations, the decline in ridership means some $1.5 billion annually in less fare revenue—three times as much revenue as the congestion tax is expected to raise this year."

"MTA’s costs are exploding owing to expensive labor contracts and repairs because the state’s Democratic leaders prioritized paying off their public union friends over system upgrades."