The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was created by New York State legislation in 1965 (the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Act, New York Public Authorities Law, Title 11, Section 1260, et. seq.), as a public benefit corporation.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is a public-benefit corporation in the state of New York, meaning it is a government-owned and controlled entity that operates like a private business but for the public good. Chartered by the New York State Legislature in 1965, the MTA is governed by a board whose members are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. While it generates its own revenue through fares, tolls (via MTA Bridges and Tunnels), and advertising, it is heavily subsidized by public tax dollars, including the "Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax." It is the largest public transportation provider in the Western Hemisphere, overseeing the New York City Subway, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad. In 2026, the "private" aspect of the MTA is mostly seen in its procurement and construction contracts, where it hires private engineering firms for massive capital projects like the Second Avenue Subway. However, the employees are public servants, and the ultimate accountability lies with the State of New York, making it a definitive pillar of public infrastructure rather than a for-profit private company.