New York’s MTA Spent $1.16 Billion in Overtime During Staffing Shortage

  • Overtime expenses in 2021 increased by 3% over the prior year
  • MTA expects to have sufficient staffing by the end of June
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s overtime expenses in 2021 increased by 3% compared with the year before, as the largest U.S. mass-transit system faced staffing shortages because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The MTA spent $1.16 billion on overtime last year, $37 million more than in 2020 because of vacancies and absenteeism, according to a report the agency released Tuesday. Subway riders experienced delays last year when the MTA was forced to run fewer trains because the system was understaffed.