Letter: Comptroller’s office is holding the MTA accountable

The City & State article “Is DiNapoli doing enough to target MTA labor costs?” (Aug. 1, 2019) contains some fundamental misunderstandings of what an audit is and can do. 

My office has held the MTA to account in dozens of audits and reports that have identified big and small problems and suggested ways it can save money and reduce rider aggravation. The MTA is mismanaged on many levels and has been for decades. To suggest that an audit, or even a series of audits, would fix its management and culture is an overreach. Multiple watchdogs, including the GAO, the RPA, my office and others, have pointed out that the MTA needs to address budget bloat on many levels. It has not listened. 

With new leadership, there are some signs that the MTA is trying to change and examine the thoughtful criticisms we have provided.