As it turned out, Con Ed continued to bill the authority based on pre-pandemic estimates instead of actual electricity usage, which would have reflected four fewer hours per day of train service; for those overcharges, the MTA has already been refunded or credited more than $7.1 million for select accounts.
“As older electric meters are replaced, the percentage of estimated bills has declined and continues to trend down,” said MTA spokesperson Michael Cortez in a statement. “Wherever estimated billing is greater than actual usage, the MTA identifies the difference, proactively requesting and receiving appropriate credits.”
Con Ed and MTA crews made 73 visits to New York City Transit properties for smart meter checks in the first five months of 2022, the report notes, though a Con Ed spokesperson said not all of them were for issues with their equipment.