MTA discusses safety, service and rider discount
NEW YORK (PIX11) — It is busier on the trains. The MTA said paid subway ridership has increased by about 80,000 daily customers compared to this time last year.
Service and safety are always officially tracked by the MTA and riders. The NYPD reports on crime statistics in a presentation during the monthly MTA NYC Transit committee meeting.
After a significant jump in January, police report that the numbers are down 28% this month and down 6% year to date. The city added 1,000 officers to transit patrols in February. There is a plan for the future.
“We will continue our increased transit deployment at turnstiles, trains, platforms and fare evasion enforcement,” said NYPD Transit Deputy Chief Norman Grandstaff.
A discount proposal is expected to be approved by the entire MTA board on Wednesday.
It offers a 10% discount for the monthly ticket for travel only in the boroughs on the LIRR and Metro-North.
Summer is a busier time in the system, and congestion pricing is scheduled to begin on Sunday, June 30th.
Funding from congestion pricing is required by the state law that created the plan to finance major subway, bus and train projects.
The transit agency said it will be ready, and as commutes change, options will be available for those who want to avoid a toll to drive south of 60th Street in Manhattan.
Express bus service will be added on six routes running to Lower Manhattan on routes in Southeast Brooklyn and Staten Island.
“We have capacity on subway and bus. This is a chance to improve express bus on these corridors,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey.
Subway service on some lines has been increased. The agency said ridership will be evaluated and monitored.
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