Amazon may shun N.Y.C. ‘hell’
MASS TRANSIT missteps could disrupt the city’s efforts to lure Amazon here to build its second headquarters, according to a report.
Chaos on the subway and commuter rails, along with chronic and debilitating delays, “present real drawbacks to the city’s bid,” said a report from Tri-State Transportation Campaign being released Wednesday.
New York is relying on its reputation, not extra tax subsidies, in making its case to Amazon as the online retail giant searches for a North American city to set up its new headquarters. But the city’s supposed crown jewel — its robust mass transit network — routinely delays and exasperates the riding public.
In addition, Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio are squabbling over who should pay to repair and upgrade the subways.
“The influx of 50,000 additional commuters will place additional strain on an already overtaxed, underfunded system,” the report said.
Nick Sifuentes, Tri-State’s director, said New York is moving backward on transit funding, while taking too long for the city to improve its bus system.
“When a transit system is unreliable, it should make anybody looking at that city stop and take pause,” Sifuentes said.
“The MTA provides unparalleled 24/7 transit options that drive the regional economy,” said MTA spokesman Shams Tarek.