NYCT surpasses 2 million ridership mark

Rail News Home Security 6/23/2020 Rail News: Security
NYCT recorded a significant increase in ridership since the start of the pandemic, however the figure still represents a decline normal weekday ridership levels.Photo – NYCT Facebook

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) last week surpassed more than 2 million weekday combined riders on the New York City Transit (NYCT) subway and bus system for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. 

While a significant increase in ridership since the start of the pandemic due to the gradual reopening of the city, the figure represents a decline of 74 percent from normal weekday ridership levels of 7.6 million combined riders, MTA officials said in a press release.

MTA Long Island Rail Road ridership is down 85 percent from normal levels and MTA Metro-North Railroad's passenger count is down 87 percent. 

The MTA has prepared its system for further ridership gains through increased service, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, and by requiring riders and employees to wear masks, officials said.

To learn more about how the pandemic has affected MTA, read this feature article in the June issue of Progressive Railroading.

To view of a video MTA released to inform riders of new rules and precautions to take while using the subway, click here.

Last week, the MTA also released a report from WSP USA Inc. on the most effective responses to the pandemic from around the world. The report is a review of international case studies highlighting a broad range of creative practices and innovative approaches being implemented globally, particularly from countries in Europe and Asia that faced COVID-19 challenges earlier than the United States.