Former Governor Andrew Cuomo made a surprising suggestion about the New York City subway. He believes the M.T.A., the state agency that runs the system, should give some of its power to the city government. This would be a major shift in how the subways are managed.
Specifically, Cuomo proposed that the city should take over responsibility for all capital construction and major repairs. This means the city, not the M.T.A., would build new stations and handle all long-term maintenance. These jobs require billions of dollars and careful planning.
This proposal is controversial, especially because of Cuomo's history. When he was governor, his relationship with the M.T.A. was often contentious. He and the authority frequently disagreed on funding, projects, and management, which sometimes caused public arguments.
Some people think Cuomo’s idea could help fix the subway’s old problems. It could bring decisions closer to the people who use the system daily. Others wonder if this is a political move to criticize the M.T.A.'s current leadership. The debate highlights the ongoing struggle over one of the world's most important transit systems.