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Coronavirus crisis forces MTA to cut subway and bus service

March 25, 2020 Paula Katinas
A woman wears a mask and gloves waiting for a Manhattan bound R Train at the 77th Street Station in Brooklyn on March 12, 2020. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
A woman wears a mask and gloves waiting for a Manhattan bound R Train at the 77th Street Station in Brooklyn. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle
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Faced with a drastic reduction in ridership as Brooklyn residents, like many New Yorkers, hunker down at home during the coronavirus pandemic, the MTA announced that it is implementing cuts in bus and subway service.

Here’s how the agency’s new “NY Essential Service Plan” will affect subway service: Starting March 25, weekday service is being eliminated on three lines: the B, W and Z. Other subway lines that normally run express will run on local tracks.

The move is necessary, according to MTA officials, who said subway ridership has decreased by an astounding 87 percent as compared to last year at this time.

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Bus service will be reduced by 25 percent starting March 26. There has been a 60 percent decline in ridership in recent days due to the coronavirus crisis, MTA officials said.

“The dramatic decrease in ridership shows our customers are continuing to follow the advice of health professionals to keep themselves and others safe,” MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said in a statement.

The “NY Essential Service Plan” ensures that service will still be there for first responders, including health care workers, who need to get back and forth to work, MTA officials said.

“The MTA is committed to getting the heroes who keep this city moving where they need to go,” Foye said.

“The 50,000 brave men and women of New York City Transit will continue moving essential employees and keep them safe during this public health crisis,” NYC Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg said.

The MTA is facing financial calamity due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. Farebox and toll revenue, which normally generates $8 billion a year, nearly half of the agency’s budget, has dropped significantly.

The MTA is expected to spend more than $300 million to disinfect buses and subway cars.

Foye wrote a letter to members of New York’s congressional delegation earlier this week pleading for federal funding.


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3 Comments

  1. coniljw

    Mass transit in NYC area has been run by democrats/democrats unions. No wonder they are a shambles – leaking/flooding, tiles falling, not on time, bankrupt, crime ridden – democrats blame everyone but themselves for their own failed policies. Until the useful idiots in NYC STOP voting for the “D” they will NEVER win. The hate & constant drumbeat of misery from the Left’s mouths & print & media are just plain demonic.

    March 26, 2020 at 9:46 am
    Reply
  2. SG

    The city is cutting bus services to the point that buses are now crowded and do now allow for social distancing. Are we going to continue to compromise our essential workers in this manner.

    April 14, 2020 at 7:40 pm
    Reply