Which of the following is a challenge faced by the MTA in urban transportation?

Managing traffic congestion is a significant challenge for urban transportation authorities, including the MTA. Congestion impacts both the efficiency of public transportation systems and the overall reliability of services. As more vehicles enter the roadways, travel times increase, leading to delays for buses and other forms of public transport relying on shared road space. This can deter potential passengers who might turn to personal vehicles because of the frustration with unpredictable transit times.

Additionally, traffic congestion can strain existing infrastructure. With delays accumulating, the MTA may struggle to maintain on-time service, which affects ridership satisfaction and can lead to declining numbers of passengers over time. Efforts to mitigate congestion often involve complex solutions, including improving traffic signal timing, enhancing the use of public transport, increasing the frequency of services, or even implementing congestion pricing strategies. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving urban mobility and ensuring sustainable public transport systems as cities continue to grow.

The other options, while relevant to transportation issues, do not encapsulate the overarching problem of urban transportation management as effectively as traffic congestion. Expanding service hours or increasing fleet size may be responses to demand, and decreasing passenger numbers may indicate larger systemic issues but stem largely from inefficiencies like congestion.