Friends of MTA initiative aims to improve 5 Brooklyn subway stations

The program aims to bring 15-20 volunteers at five different stations in contact with MTA brass in order to help create solutions for commuters.

News 12 Staff

Mar 1, 2023, 10:45 PM

Updated 653 days ago

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A new pilot program in northern Brooklyn is looking for commuters to volunteer and weigh in on the condition of the subways.  
Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the program, called the Friends of MTA Station Initiative. He’s recruiting volunteer groups to meet with MTA officials in order to raise issues, discuss station conditions and even participate in walkthroughs.  
“We are bringing together neighbors to advocate for improvements in our train stations, and I hope that my neighbors have a chance to meet with MTA staff,” said Restler. “We’re going to be able to make a difference and see real improvement and advocate for greater resources.” 
The five stations that Restler says will participate are the High Street, Borough Hall, Bedford Avenue, Nassau Avenue and Jay Street stations. All of these stations include a variety of different subway lines, and each station requires 15-20 participating volunteers.  
Some commuters weighed in on the change they wish to see. 
“I see the MTA doing their job trying to keep it clean, but homeless people sleeping everywhere, and there are weird smells other places. Each train station is not the same,” said Brooklyn commuter Jayvon King.  
Restler says that the program has already gotten a tremendous response, and that they will be looking for more volunteers over the next two weeks.