City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s latest report would’ve been a godsend a few years ago. But now no one’s surprised to hear how the MTA for years failed to report clearly and honestly about subway service delays.

Indeed, it looks like data-gathering was so haphazard that even the system’s leaders didn’t fully realize what was going on.

The subways’ near collapse in 2017 made it obvious that top managers hadn’t leveled with the public. Yet Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s subsequent management shake-up installed a new team that seem determined to do better.

Stringer specifically credits New York City Transit chief Andy Byford with tackling the problem head-on — while noting that more change is still needed.

So the comptroller’s “The Crisis Below” report serves mainly as a guide for what reforms can ensure that the deceptions don’t return — and as notice that Stringer’s office will now watch the agency closely. (Too bad no one did that in time to prevent the crisis.)

Bottom line: The MTA needs to be transparent and honest with the public and the press — and internally, as well.

Yet Cuomo’s bid for complete control of the MTA threatens to push the agency in the opposite direction. Indeed, the gov’s nonstop attacks on leaders he himself picked may leave MTA honchos too busy ducking for cover to implement Stringer’s ideas.