MTA implements essential service plan due to low ridership

Starting today some changes are in effect for commuters.

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2020, 10:17 AM

Updated 1,492 days ago

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Starting today some changes are in effect for commuters.

Last week News 12 reported that the MTA was seeing low ridership but were maintaining normal service. Starting today that is no longer the case.

As of this morning the MTA is implementing its “MTA Essential Service Plan.” Some lines will not run Monday through Friday, those include the B, W and Z lines, which will be covered by other local service. The MTA says some express services and branches on some lines will operate only as local service.
The MTA says most riders will not notice a difference and that this keeps them able to get first responders and essential personnel where they need to go.

The MTA tells News 12 that crews will continue to disinfect stations and work areas. As of now the agency reported 52 employees have tested positive and that some staffing changes have caused delays in service.
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There has been an 87% decline in subway ridership, and between the cleaning, and little ridership they are suffering financially. The MTA is calling on Congress to pass nearly $25 billion for dedicated funding to help mass transit nationwide.
Starting Thursday there will also be some changes to bus service. However, the MTA says that it will retain 75% of normal bus services.

According to the MTA, all of these plans are fluid and they are going to be monitoring crowds to see if there needs to be any changes.
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