Some MTA commuters are concerned after a new report shows the agency’s payroll surpassed $8 billion last year, and nearly 100 Metro-North Railroad workers making more than six figures in overtime alone.

This report is from Empire Center.

The report shows 629 MTA employees earned more than $100,000 in overtime last year. A total of 90 of them work on the Metro-North Railroad. "That’s a lot of money," says Angela Canada, a commuter.

The report says the MTA's total payroll for 2024 of $8 billion marks a 2.6% increase from 2023.

Overtime totaled $1.36 billion, which Empire Center says is a 1.1% drop from 2023.

Overtime pay in 2024 was 17% of total pay.

Commuters say more workers should be hired. “I do appreciate the people who work in the MTA. I know it’s not easy," says Ten Alexandre, a commuter. "It would probably make more economic sense for the employer to hire more workers, so they don’t have to pay more in overtime," says Aaron Fishbein, a commuter.

Commuters also told News 12 this raises concerns for them because of fare costs and congestion pricing.

"It’s been tough," says Alexandre. "There should be a reallocation of funds, however that is supposed to happen.”

MTA's Co-Chief Financial Officer released a statement in response to the report. “The MTA successfully delivered on its goal of cutting $400 million through operating efficiencies last year, including cutting total overtime costs and keeping payroll growth below both inflation and general wage increases required under collective bargaining contracts," says MTA Co-Chief Financial Officer Jai Patel. "The MTA continues to be vigilant when it comes to controlling costs and operating efficiently and is on track to increase savings to $500 million annually, while continuing to enhance service.”