The 2013 mayoral campaign is right around the corner, but none of the candidates have mentioned plans for the future of New York City's public transportation. 

As one of the most significant infrastructure needs of the city, candidates must address the general public about the financial future of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Crain's New York Business reports.

With a current seven million subway and bus riders everyday, funding cannot afford to be further reduced.  City officials and candidates typically look to Albany, Washington D.C., and the suburbs for solutions.  However, New York City's reductions in contributions have immensely hurt the MTA - what was once a $205 million contribution per year in 1982 has decreased to $105 million within a current $69 billion budget.

For the city's general public, a straightforward conversation by the mayoral candidates is needed.  The MTA's capital should become a budget priority in order to promptly address the critical situation at hand.