> The problem is that the MTA (which runs the New York City subway, mind you) is inexplicably run at the state level, ... Previously the new York city mayors h

> The problem is that the MTA (which runs the New York City subway, mind you) is inexplicably run at the state level, ... Previously the new York city mayors had much more control, but they always had a lot of pressure to not increase fares. Note that the nickel fare only ended a decade or so before, after having existed for more than sixty years. So the system needed to increase fares to become more viable, but the mayors needed to run on platforms of not increasing fares. Putting the mta in state hands was seen as a better, more technocratic solution, allowing the agency to do things that are necessary even if they aren't popular.