Public transit riders and elected officials took over the Smith-Ninth Street subway station to raise awareness on what they say is inefficient and ill-frequent public transit.  

Those at the station laced up their sneakers and raced up the elevated subway platform as a performance to mimic the daily commute for New Yorkers using public transportation.  

"This is how the vast majority of New Yorkers get around and this is how you have to navigate the system, while holding strollers, wheelchairs, you name it,” said state Sen. Andrew Gounardes. “We tried to replicate the everyday experience here as best we could and how important it is, we literally had to run up three flights of stairs, just to catch the train on time." 

Those at today’s rally are supporters of the six-minute service initiative, meaning they want a more frequent transit system with service for both subways and buses running every six minutes.  

Six-minute service is part of a long list of asks that legislators are pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to add to the state budget by the March 31 deadline.