New York City’s public transport safety is a big concern. The subway and bus systems are key to the city. Let’s look at the safety of NYC’s public transport and the latest in subway and bus safety.
Commuters have something to smile about. Crime on transit in NYC is down 11 percent from 2019. The subway is safer than it has been in 14 years, with fewer robberies.
Governor Kathy Hochul is working to make the subway safer. She added 1,000 extra officers to check bags and patrol. This is in response to incidents like the slashing of a train conductor in Brooklyn.
But, there are still problems. Many people don’t pay their fare on buses. The subway, with 665 miles of track and 472 stops, still sees crimes. Even though it’s only 2.5% of the city’s crimes, people worry about safety.
Current State of NYC Public Transport Safety
NYC’s public transport system has ongoing safety issues. Recent data shows a mix of safety for riders and pedestrians in the subway. We’ll look at the numbers and efforts to keep commuters safe.
Transit Crime Rates
In 2023, the NYC subway saw 1,120 violent crimes. This is a 20% jump from 2019’s 935 crimes. Yet, subway crimes are just 2.5% of the city’s violent crimes. The chance of running into a crime is almost one in a million rides.
Safety Initiatives and Police Presence
NYC has increased police in subways to boost safety. Mayor Eric Adams calls this the “new normal.” Governor Hochul added 750 National Guard soldiers to help. These steps aim to follow rules better and protect riders.
Pre and Post-Pandemic Safety Measures
The pandemic changed subway safety. In 2020, violent crime risk per ride jumped from 1 in 2 million to 1 in 750,000. Crime rates are still 40% higher than before the pandemic. Fare evasion also went up, from 5-6% to 12-14%. The MTA now faces tighter rules to improve safety for commuters.
| Year | Violent Index Crimes | Ridership (Billions) | Crime Risk (1 in X rides) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 935 | 1.7 | 2,000,000 |
| 2020 | Not provided | 0.64 | 750,000 |
| 2023 | 1,120 | 1.1 | 1,000,000 |
Subway vs Bus Safety Analysis
Buses are becoming the top choice for many in NYC. This change is seen in new rules and what people say they like. Let’s look at how safe these two are.
Crime Rate Differences
NYPD data shows a big difference in crime rates. In February, subways had 4.3 crimes per million rides. Buses had just under 2. This makes many women choose buses over subways for safety.
Emergency Response Accessibility
Buses are easier to get out of and feel less crowded. This makes riders feel safer. Buses also help in emergencies because they are open and easy to reach.
Public Perception and Rider Preferences
MTA surveys show people are happier with buses. Bus satisfaction went up from 59% to 61% between September and February. Subway satisfaction fell from 58% to 52%. This shows more people think buses are safer in NYC.
