Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials, including the agency's chairman, participated in a hearing at City Hall Monday on the its budget. It comes as Albany lawmakers are reportedly holding back on helping the agency address its financial shortfall. NY1's Jose Martinez filed this report.

The message by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman, Thomas Prendergast, was direct—and dire.

He told skeptical City Council members the city's transit system desperately needs more money.

"Without a healthy capital program, the MTA is in deep trouble- and that means deep trouble for New York City too, and the millions who depend on the system to get to work, to school, to tehy doctor,” Prendergast said.

The state-run agency is facing a staggering $14 billion shortfall in its five-year, $32 billion plan to maintain and expand a system that's being squeezed by record ridership.

"It's easy to wait for someone else to act. It’s harder to step up and provide more funding. And I'm not just saying this to you. I'm saying it to every group I meet with, every stakeholder I can find—developers, contractors businesses and the state and federal government," Prendergast said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio last month boosted the city's annual contribution to the MTA to $125 million, up from $100 million, where it has been for three decades.

Several council members weren't thrilled that the city's being asked to kick in more after already meeting the MTA's initial funding request.

"We give you full ask and on the day of the executive budget, you say, 'Wait.' So how are we supposed to engage in a conversation or a negotiation when you keep moving the goalposts?" said Julissa Ferrara.

Adding to the Council's skepticism is the MTA's spotty track record on delivering big projects on time.

Some councilmembers pointedly questioned why the city should even be giving more money to the MTA, at a time when the city-funded extension of the 7 train to 34th Street has had its opening repeatedly pushed back.

"The plan was June 2014. That was delayed to early fall of 2014. That was delayed to November 2014. That was delayed to February 2015. That was delayed to May of 2015. It's now June 1," said Councilman Corey Johnson.

The MTA's problems are not limited to City Hall. In Albany, the legislative session is winding down without any new state funding commitments, either.