Straphangers Return To Subway In Highest Numbers Since Pre-COVID
This is a clear sign that the normal rhythms of the region are returning, says MTA executive vice president of subways Demetrius Crichlow.
Sarah Belle Lin,Patch Staff
NEW YORK CITY — MTA ridership broke records for the fifth time in five weeks, surpassing 2.46 million riders Thursday – the highest number since last March 2020.
It's the latest figure showing a steady return to the rails: the previous record was set on June 9 with 2.38 million riders, followed by May 27 with 2.35 million, 2.27 on May 14 and 2.24 on May 7.
"We are pleased to see that the subway is breaking pandemic ridership records even as schools move to summer recess to begin what is traditionally a slower period for the subways," said Demetrius Crichlow, MTA's executive vice president of subways. "This is a clear sign that the normal rhythms of the region are returning."
Pre-pandemic, over 5.5 million people rode the trains on an average weekday. When the pandemic hit, ridership plunged by more than 90% to a low of roughly 300,000 daily trips last April.