New York subway hearing erupts as MTA boss snaps ‘shut up’ amid grilling over guards letting fare jumpers walk

By Fox News · Fox News

A joint New York State budget hearing devolved into a shouting match when a Long Island Republican challenged the MTA’s Hochul-appointed chairman over a $35 million security deal, questioning why contracted guards appear to be letting fare evaders walk amid claims the agency is rife with waste. State Sen. Mario Mattera, R-St. James, sharply questioned Janno Lieber over a $35 million contract for private security guards at subway stations as the transit authority grapples with rising fare evasion amid higher fares for paying straphangers. Mattera previously spoke out in opposition to the major contract with Allied Security Services of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, as the latest example of systemic waste from the transit agency’s coffers. THE ROAD AHEAD FOR TRANSIT IN NEW YORK CITY IN 2026 INCLUDES FARE HIKES Lieber initially objected to the line of questioning, saying that anyone working as a gate guard for Allied is a New Yorker. "It’s not a bunch of Pennsylvanians," he said. Mattera pointed to reports in the New York Post and elsewhere saying guards are letting people essentially jump the turnstiles, including when riders have issues scanning in during the city’s post-Metro Card era. "Why do we have people helping people avoid tolls? We have videos," he said. Lieber became similarly angry after Mattera spoke over him. "Let me finish. Let me finish," Lieber said. "You’re rambling," Mattera said. "Why do we have this?" Lieber replied that Allied’s guards reduced fare evasion by more than one-third since the contract was signed, but the two kept shouting over each other before Lieber could be heard yelling, "Shut up." "Be quiet," he said, before Mattera demanded — and received — an apology from the Hochul appointee. NY GOVERNOR POURS COLD WATER ON MAMDANI FREE BUS PLAN Committee Chairman J. Gary Pretlow, D-Mount Vernon, soon slammed his gavel and also yelled "shut up," admonishing both men. "Raising voices will not be tolerated," Pretlow was quoted as saying by the Sou…