City Comptroller Scott Stringer is making recommendations to
the MTA due to a drop in ridership caused by the pandemic.
Stringer says the MTA subway ridership is currently 50%
below pre-pandemic levels while bus ridership is down 40%.
As a result, fare revenue for subways and buses have dropped
$2.9 million from 2019 and 2020.
The new report, named Beyond the Rush Hour, also showed 61%
of jobs in shift work or service industries that don't follow the typical work
schedule are located outside of Manhattan. While subway ridership in Manhattan
was down 66% last year, the Bronx only decreased by 53%.
The comptroller's recommendations include:
- Implementing the
“New York City in Six” plan so that all
subway routes arrive at least every six minutes throughout the day, every day
- Requiring big companies to encourage commuting into work
to cut down traffic congestion
- Revising the gas tax so that two-thirds of the revenue is
dedicated to public transit
- Reducing fare prices for workers who use commuter rails
like LIRR and Metro North.
Stringer is asking the MTA to make these changes to keep up
with the city's changing economy in a post-pandemic world.
The MTA released a statement saying, "We welcome the
comptroller's focus on transit challenges and recommendation for new dedicated
funding streams... We recognize the critical role the MTA plays in recovery of
the region's economy... and have announced exploration of new fare options
while continually providing better service with resources available."