Less than half of New York City subway riders feel safe or satisfied, as per an MTA survey.
In the spring of 2024, only 45% of straphangers reported feeling safe on trains, based on the results of the MTA’s Customers Count survey. This was a decrease from the 54% who felt safe in the fall of 2023.
Furthermore, just 44% felt safe inside train stations this spring, down from 51% in the fall of 2023, as per the bi-annual poll conducted from April 18 to May 12.
Only 47% of straphangers expressed satisfaction with the transit system, a drop from 52% in the fall of 2023, marking the lowest percentage since the spring of 2022 when it was 48%.
One commuter, Simmone Leslie, shared her concerns about safety on the subway, stating that she avoids riding it due to safety worries.
Leslie recounted a frightening experience on a train to a Liberty game, where a disturbed man caused chaos on the train, leaving her feeling anxious and unsettled.
Due to safety concerns, Leslie now mainly uses ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft and carries a taser for protection when she does take the subway.
Recent incidents, such as a random attack with a rock in a Chelsea subway station, have added to the unease among commuters.
Violent crimes in the subway system have seen a significant increase this year, with murders up by 60% compared to the previous year. The number of shootings has also doubled, and incidents of sex crimes have risen slightly.
While major felonies in the transit system have decreased by 6% this year, concerns about cleanliness remain widespread among riders. Half of the survey respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanliness of the subways, citing homeless individuals, unpleasant smells, and trash as primary reasons.
Despite these challenges, MTA Chief John J. McCarthy highlighted improvements in subway service and ridership, emphasizing a record number of subway riders and increasing satisfaction with OMNY cards.
Additional reporting by Matthew Sedacca
