Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Cartoon

A Round and a Roundy: Who Will Save the MTA?

Cartoon: Bill Roundy

Editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy by editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy.
Editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy by editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy.
Editorial cartoon of Bill Roundy by editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy.

This week's cartoon by Bill Roundy is inspired by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's reluctance to help transit systems across the country deal with the perfect storm of problems: a COVID-19 pandemic that sickened workforces, eliminated virtually all ridership except essential workers, and basically eliminated revenue.

MTA officials and Gov. Cuomo have said that only a massive influx of federal cash is the only thing that can save the system at this point.

But that cash bailout would have to make it past McConnell's desk in the Russell Senate Office Building, which at this point seems unlikely. The Kentucky lawmaker has not commented when asked about the money, and adjourned the Senate until Sept. 8 anyway.

Meanwhile, MTA officials, as our cartoonist depicts them, have run out of ideas as they near the abyss. As our own Dave Colon reported earlier in the month, the MTA does have some options, but none is palatable.

Hence this cartoon. Enjoy.

All of Bill Roundy's cartoons are archived here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Pressure’s on Hochul As Legislative Budget Proposals Don’t Fund MTA Capital Plan

"The clock is ticking" for Gov. Hochul to come up with a way to fund the next MTA capital — or start to pay the price in delayed projects.

March 12, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: FOIL’ed Again Edition

How many Department of Transportation officials does it take to not answer reporters' Freedom of Information Law requests? (Sixteen!) Plus other news.

March 12, 2025

Data: Congestion Pricing is Not Rerouting Traffic to Other Boroughs

Traffic on four outerborough bridges dropped in February — defying MTA forecasts for increased through-traffic around the congestion relief zone.

March 12, 2025

Cross-Bronx Cap ‘Potentially Feasible’ — But Expensive: Report

Here's a plan for a highway that isn't a scar. Now all we need is the money.

March 11, 2025
See all posts