Mayor blames wider woe of infrastructure

THE CITY’S SUBWAY woes are nothing new — and the system’s aging infrastructure is to blame, Mayor de Blasio said Wednesday, a day after a Harlem subway derailment injured straphangers and caused massive delays.

“It never used to be fine. It’s gotten worse because all aging infrastructure in this city and cities around the country are struggling,” de Blasio said on WCBS 880, shooting down the common perception among riders that a subway system that had long been mostly reliable has fallen apart.

De Blasio, who has often pointed out that he does not run the MTA, refused to answer specific questions Tuesday about the A train derailment.

Neither de Blasio, nor Gov. Cuomo visited the scene of the incident. Cuomo controls a majority of the MTA board.

“The maintenance that should have been done 10, 20 years ago never happened. I do think we’re seeing an uptick now, but I don’t think it’s mysterious after the decline we’ve seen over so many decades,” de Blasio said. “Again, not a new problem — but a problem that’s getting worse.”

De Blasio did not lay out a specific wishlist for the MTA, but repeated his position that the state agency should shift more money to the subways from other parts of its operation.

Hizzoner said he was “frustrated” with the spate of delays and stalled trains. Asked why he didn’t have “a real sense of exasperation on your part about what’s happening underground,” the mayor replied: “I disagree with that ... I’m very, very, very aware of it.”

De Blasio added: “I’ve been in plenty of delayed trains in my day. That’s why I’m saying I don’t think it’s a brand new phenomenon. I just think it’s gotten worse. But here’s the bottom line: Rather than being upset, let’s figure out a solution.”

In a separate appearance on 1010 WINS, de Blasio said a millionaire’s tax to raise money for the transit system is “worthy of consideration” — but state legislators should not try to rush it through during a special legislative session called to deal with mayoral control of the city’s public schools.