Mayor de Blasio blasts MTA, Cuomo for subway problems

Using a subway as a backdrop, the mayor blasted the MTA, claiming the agency is withholding the funds needed to repair the troubled agency.

He took Governor Cuomo to task, saying he shares equal responsibility.

The mayor started his day off working out at his gym in Park Slope.

Then after, he did what many New Yorkers do-  he walked to the subway and caught the train.

In the latest round of who's responsible for the troubled MTA, Mayor de Blasio took that argument to the train, showing the MTA and the state that something must be done to make service more reliable.

Cramming into a car, the mayor invited the media to join him on a commute from Park Slope to the Jay Street-Metrotech Station...

“I want to let straphangers know I am fighting for their needs, and that means a new plan for the MTA and for the MTA to spend the money they have on the things that matter," said the mayor.

Last week, a track fire in Hamilton Heights caused major delays during the morning rush, forcing throngs of commuters to crowd the platforms.

Last month, a derailment in Harlem forced hundreds to evacuate through a dark tunnel.

Mayor de Blasio claims the MTA has the money to fix the problem.

“We gave them $2.5 billion a couple of years ago, almost 90% of that money is just sitting there,” he said.

Some commuters see de Blasio riding the subway as a powerful message, but political analysts see it differently.

“The mayor said he wants New Yorkers to know he's fighting for them, now remember, he's running for reelection and he's been accused of maybe not being as passionate about the subway issue, but with all the issues and delays the mayor is getting on board, trying to inoculate himself with all the criticism,” said Politico New York’s Azi Paybarag

After reaching out to the MTA, a spokesperson said, “The mayor’s comments today are completely disingenuous knowing that the MTA is set to present its 30-day overhaul plan this week.”