MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber Talks NYC's Storm Response

Summary

---

Bloomberg Talks: MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber Talks NYC's Storm Response

Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO

---

Episode Overview

This episode covers New York City's response to a significant winter storm, focusing on how the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) managed to keep transit systems operational. Host Bloomberg speaks with Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the MTA, to discuss storm preparations, operational challenges, and the impact of persistent cold weather. The conversation also briefly touches on potential moves toward free bus service in the city.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MTA’s Storm Preparedness and Response

Timestamp: 00:46 – 03:26

• Preparation and Workforce Effort:
  Lieber emphasizes the vital role of intense planning and rapid response by MTA workers.

  “15,000 MTA workers labored over the weekend and into today to make sure we could put on service... we were able to maintain bus and subway and Metro North and Long Island Railroad commuter service right through the storm...”
  — Janno Lieber, 01:21

• Impact of Advanced Forecasting:
  The MTA leveraged improved weather forecasting, allowing for greater preparation and minimizing service disruption compared to previous years.

  “The advantage of that [advances in forecasting] is it allows us to do a ton of preparation... which is not always the case in the past.”
  — Janno Lieber, 01:21

• Operational Status During the Storm:
  Despite adverse conditions, service remained operational on all subway and bus lines, though there were some delays, mainly due to worker availability.

  “There are some delays because partly because we have crews that live in New Jersey and they're not able to get in because New Jersey Transit is out of business for today.”
  — Janno Lieber, 02:26

• Current Transit Schedules:
  Metro North operated 550 trains and Long Island Railroad 750 trains on holiday or weekend schedules to maintain robust service.

2. Challenges Posed by Ongoing Cold Weather

Timestamp: 03:26 – 04:27

• Icing and Equipment Management:
  Icing is cited as a primary challenge, particularly concerning switches and third rails for rail transit.

  “ICE is the enemy of good service on rail... you have to have run your deicing trains constantly, make sure that the switches don't actually freeze up. And we have maintainers literally standing by our major switches.”
  — Janno Lieber, 03:38

• Mitigation Tactics:

  • Running trains through the system during snowfall to clear snow from third rails.
  • Utilizing diesel engines on commuter rails due to their independence from third rail power.
  • Chaining all bus wheels to aid traction.

• Commitment to Service:

  “But we're going to keep managing through.”
  — Janno Lieber, 04:21

3. Brief Discussion on Free Bus Service

Timestamp: 04:27 – 05:42

• Political Context:
  Bloomberg raises Lieber’s previous comments about potentially moving toward free bus service and asks for an update.

• Lieber’s Response:
  Lieber reiterates his strong support for Mayor Mamdani’s transit-friendly policies and outlines the complexity of making buses free.

  “If we're going to talk about something as radical and as impactful as making a whole section of our system free, we need to do a ton of study and it's not a flip-the-switch type thing.”
  — Janno Lieber, 04:47

• Financial Stability Emphasis:
  Maintaining the financial health of the system is a top priority, referencing progress made under Governor Hochul.

  “We've brought the MTA back to financial stability under Hochul's leadership and we don't want to mess with that. So we'll be moving methodically under Governor Hochul on addressing this idea amid the storm.”
  — Janno Lieber, 05:12

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Storm Preparation Success:
  “We were able to maintain bus and subway and Metro north and Long Island Railroad commuter service right through the storm... which is not always the case in the past.”
  — Janno Lieber, 01:21

• On Interstate Transit Disruption:
  “[There are delays because] we have crews that live in New Jersey and they're not able to get in because New Jersey Transit is out of business for today.”
  — Janno Lieber, 02:26
  Host’s lighthearted interjection: “Whoa, shade there in New Jersey. Hudson River.”
  — Bloomberg, 02:41

• On Icing Challenges:
  “ICE is the enemy of good service on rail... We have maintainers literally standing by our major switches, our major interlockings to constantly de ice.”
  — Janno Lieber, 03:38

• On Free Bus Service Caution:
  “If we're going to talk about something as radical and as impactful as making a whole section of our system free, we need to do a ton of study and it's not a flip-the-switch type thing.”
  — Janno Lieber, 04:47

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:46 — Introduction of Janno Lieber and first discussion of snow-related MTA challenges
• 01:21 — Detailed response on MTA’s storm readiness and operational outcomes
• 02:26 — Current service status; discussion on cross-state workforce complications
• 03:38 — Technical and operational challenges arising from persistent cold and ice
• 04:27 — Query and response on the potential for free bus service in NYC

---

Takeaway

Janno Lieber emphasizes that effective preparation, real-time response, and dedicated personnel enabled New York City’s transit system to continue running despite a major snowstorm. Ongoing cold and ice pose new challenges, but the MTA remains committed to adapting and serving the city. Financial responsibility and careful study will guide any decisions on future fare or transit policy reforms, such as free bus service.

---

Transcript

[A]

Small businesses are the pulse of every community. They bring people together, create opportunities and drive growth. Chase for Business helps business owners like you with personalized guidance and convenient digital tools all in one place. With that guidance and your determination, you can take your business farther and help build a brighter future for your community. Learn [e-mail] business chase for business Make More of what's Yours the Chase Mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. JP Morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2026 JPMorgan Chase Co. Bloomberg Audio Studios Podcasts Radio News Joining us now.

[B]

We mentioned the wonderful snow removal above ground. There is beneath the ground as well, in the bus as well. Johnny Lieber joins us now, MTA Chair and CEO here in New York City. Jon, I remember years ago in Boston, the snow, the salt, the slush drifted down and basically shut down the large system of Kenmore Square. Are you and your team worried about major breakdowns just because of the harshness of this, or is it just an emergency as usual?

[C]

You know, Tom, it's an interesting point. Rob was talking about the advances in forecasting. The advantage of that is it allows us to do a ton of preparation. And 15,000 MTA workers labored over the weekend and into today to make sure we could put on service. And we were able to maintain bus and subway and Metro north and Long Island Railroad commuter service right through the storm with delays, with imperfections, but we were able to operate, which is not always the case in the past. And that's because of preparation. And, you know, our concern now is we're operating a full Monday morning commute, which is amazing. But you know, obviously with a risk of thaw and icing, that presents new problems. So we're, we're, we're moving on in how we manage the impacts of the storm, just as you suggest.

[D]

General, give us the status of the, the subway and the bus system as it is right now and kind of how you think it might play out over the next 24 hours.

[C]

Well, here the bottom line is we're operating service on all subway lines, on all bus lines. There are some delays because partly because we have crews that live in New Jersey and they're not able to get in because New Jersey Transit is out of business for today.

[B]

Whoa, Shade there in New Jersey. Hudson River.

[C]

No, but listen, everybody's different. We were able to survive this storm with, with, As I said, 15,000 people doing a ton of work. But the bottom line is we're running, we're running every line Metro north is running 550 trains today, Long Island Railroad running 750 trains, both of them on kind of robust holiday schedules or weekend schedules. Check your, if you're listening, MTA Commuter, check your train time app or your MTA website, mta.info for specifics. But we're running service and, and we're ready to, we're ready to keep that going as we go forward in the week.

[D]

General persistent cold is in the forecast here. Heard from Rob, Carolyn, maybe for the week, maybe two weeks of well below average temperatures. How does that impact your system?

[C]

Listen, you know, when your ICE is a, is the enemy of good service on rail, right? So you have to have run your deicing trains constantly, make sure that the switches don't actually freeze up. And we have maintainers literally standing by our major switches, our major interlockings to constantly de ice. But we got all the snow by running service yesterday right through the system. We got the snow off of the third rail. We've been maximizing our use of diesel engines on the commuter rails, which don't depend on the third rail. And, and we're going to keep at it. So those are their new challenges brought on by icing, especially for the bus system, which is 100% chained. All the wheels are chained. But, but we're going to keep managing through.

[B]

Can I ask one nonstorm question? Sure, yeah. What is, what is so fascinating is you've been very vocal in your support of our new mayor and you've also said that we need a lot of study of free buses. Give us an update on how close we are to free bus service of the mta.

[C]

You know, today is, today's really about the muscling through the storm, honestly. But, but you know, I'll just say this is that the mayor, the new mayor Mamdani, is very pro transit and I welcome that. I've also made clear that, you know, if we're going to talk about something as radical and as impactful as making a whole section of our system free, we need to do a ton of study and it's not a flip the switch type thing, so. Well, I'm sure that, you know, the governor who is leading, you know, the, with her state of the state message, making a lot of investments, but also mindful of the, you know, we've brought the MTA back to financial stability under Hochul's leadership and we don't want to mess with that. So we'll be moving methodically under Governor Hochul on addressing this idea amid the storm.

[B]

Thank you for the conversation for General Lieber is with the MTA chair and CEO as well.

[E]

These days it seems like AI agents are just about everywhere you turn every field and every function. But without identity, you can't trust they'll serve your business instead of jeopardizing it. Fortunately, Okta helps you get identity right by securing your AI agents identities, giving you a single layer of control, a single standard of trust. So whether an AI agent supports a single user or your entire enterprise, with Okta you'll turn risk into opportunity. Secure every agent, secure any agent. Okta secures AI.