Farebox recovery is somewhere in the 30% range, maybe a little less. That means somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of the cost of operating Muni is a direct subsidy

Farebox recovery is somewhere in the 30% range, maybe a little less. That means somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of the cost of operating Muni is a direct subsidy from the taxpayers, or that in order to eliminate the subsidy, tickets would have to cost about $8 (without loss of ridership). Most of that cost is due to the extremely labor-friendly CBA that's in place, but equipment maintenance and the negative effects of past deferred maintenance are significant contributors as well. It's likely that NYC's MTA is similar.