The federal transportation chief who trashed the subway as a 'sh-thole' took a photo-op train ride with Mayor Eric Adams.

The recent visit of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to New York's subway system, accompanied by Mayor Eric Adams, has sparked a heated debate over the conditions of the city’s transit infrastructure. Duffy's derogatory remarks about the subway have set off a series of reactions from New York officials and transit advocates. During his brief ride on the subway, Duffy criticized the MTA's spending and hinted at an investigation into their financial habits. With a history of opposing New York's congestion pricing plan, touted as a necessary step to gather funds for the MTA’s capital upgrades, Duffy's stance remains contentious. MTA CEO Janno Lieber and Gov. Kathy Hochul defended the city's efforts, emphasizing the drop in subway crime and improvements in transit safety. Hochul, alongside various officials, firmly rebuked Duffy's criticisms, highlighting sustained crime reduction efforts, increased police presence, and improved safety measures. Duffy’s criticism comes at a time when New York is grappling with infrastructure funding gaps and is reflected in the ongoing battle over congestion pricing, a solution aimed to tackle a $15 billion deficit in transit funding. Meanwhile, some see Duffy's actions as politically motivated attempts to align with certain federal political narratives, creating a contentious dynamic between local and federal authorities. The dialogue between Duffy, the mayor's office, and state officials underscores the complex relationship between federal oversight and local governance over critical infrastructure, which continues to impact millions of daily commuters in New York.