MTA actually makes more money from NYC Marathon than it loses in bridge tolls — despite demand of $750K: analysis
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority actually made money on the New York City Marathon last year thanks to a surge in subway ridership on race day — which critics say exposes the $750,000 bridge toll “cash grab” for a naked grift.
About 2.3 million straphangers tapped or swiped MetroCards on marathon Sunday — that’s 365,000 more riders than the average Sunday between September and November in 2023, generating an estimated $1.1 million in new revenues at $2.90 per ride.
“Typical MTA, a cash grab based on incorrect math,” said Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island). “Par for the course.”
That means the MTA netted more than $300,000 from the marathon, even after factoring the tolls the agency said it lost from the Verrazzano Bridge shutdown.
MTA chairman Janno Lieber even touted the ridership boost the subway system got from the 2023 marathon in a statement released at the time.
“There’s nothing like Marathon Sunday to show that New York City’s comeback is alive and well,” Lieber said in the statement.
“I rode the subway five times to watch my daughter run and felt the energy and excitement firsthand at every stop.”
MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan said the organization that runs the marathon should be paying their fair share for using the Verrazzano Bridge.
“New York Road Runners makes more than $15 million on Marathon Day from entry fees alone and should pay its necessary expenses that include taking over a bridge at the starting line—just like the MTA covers its own costs for workers to run trains, give directions and clean stations along the route,” Sheridan said.
