The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the subways and buses in New York City. An “MTA” definition in the Urban Dictionary stated on November 21, 2008:
 
“Many Trains Absent, which is what the acronym MTA (New York) will stand for once they make their service cuts and raise the fare from $2 to $2.50 on buses and subways and from $5 to $7.50 on express buses in June 2009.”
 
”#WhatDoesMTAStandFor? Many Trains Absent; Maybe Trains Arrive; Mostly Transit Apologies - Ok #1010WINS folks - what does MTA Stand for?” was posted on Twitter by Brian Britain on July 21, 2017.
 
The MTA has also been nicknamed “More Trouble Ahead” (cited in print since at least 1995),  “Money Thrown Away” (cited in print since at least 1996),  “Might Take Awhile” (cited in print since at least 2007), “May Take Awhile” (cited in print since at least 2008), “Money Taking Agency” (cited in print since at least 2009), “Motherfuckers Touching my Ass” (from lyrics to a 2012 song) and “More Than Awful” (January 31, 2019 New York Daily News front page).
     
     
Wikipedia: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S. state of New York, serving 12 counties in Downstate New York, along with two counties in southwestern Connecticut under contract to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, carrying over 11 million passengers on an average weekday systemwide, and over 800,000 vehicles on its seven toll bridges and two tunnels per weekday. MTA is the largest public transit authority in the United States.
 
Urban Dictionary
MTA
Many Trains Absent, which is what the acronym MTA (New York) will stand for once they make their service cuts and raise the fare from $2 to $2.50 on buses and subways and from $5 to $7.50 on express buses in June 2009.
Get ready to be packed in sardines every day on the trains—-the MTA is zawing us around again!
#fare hike#cattle car#unhappy camper#pubic transit#repubican
by pentozali November 21, 2008
       
Twitter
Seb Mayo
@sebmayo
Replying to @jessmartin28
@jessmartin28 @erinshanahan_x it did..it also said many trains absent. mta makes no sense
5:33 PM - 7 Feb 2012
 
Twitter
Brian Britain
@1010WINSBrian
#WhatDoesMTAStandFor? Many Trains Absent; Maybe Trains Arrive; Mostly Transit Apologies - Ok #1010WINS folks - what does MTA Stand for?
3:55 PM - 21 Jul 2017
   
Twitter
Cornelius Moore
@CMooreHere
“The MTA” should stand for
Many
Trains
Absent
9:44 AM - 23 Aug 2017
       
Twitter 
Ching Geob
@PhilcamChing
#Newyork #Nyc #Reddit #Livebroadcasting Many Trains Absent r/nyc https://www.reddit.com/r/nyc/comments/6z4pa2/many_trains_absent/?utm_source=ifttt …
8:26 PM - 9 Sep 2017
 
EV Grieve
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
MTA, DOT outline plans for life without the L train
(...)
COMMENTS
Giovanni said…
(...)
Yes, LOL, this is obviously an Official communication from the MTA, which also stands for Many Trains Absent.
(...)
DECEMBER 14, 2017 AT 11:24 AM
     
EV Grieve
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2018
Please remember to take your rice cooker with you when exiting the train
(...)
COMMENTS
Giovanni said…
This is why MTA stands for Many Trains Absent.
(...)
FEBRUARY 24, 2018 AT 12:28 PM
 
Twitter
yo lil picasso 🎨
@chr_ssie
The MTA stands for Many Trains Absent until y’all cut the crap with all the service cuts and delays idc
1:52 PM - 17 Sep 2018