NYC subway rides hit 2022 billion in 1: MTA honors commemorative passenger
'28.12.2022'
Olga Derkach
It's likely that many New Yorkers feel like they've ridden the subway a billion times. But as it turns out, it was only recently that the New York City Transportation Authority (MTA) congratulated its billionth customer this year. The edition told in more detail ABC7NY.
On December 27, the MTA honored its billionth client.
“They said to me, ‘Congratulations, you are the billionth customer at the MTA,’ and I was like, ‘Is this true?
"Thank you to everyone who has ridden with us all year, especially lucky number 1 billion passenger Sasha Salazar," said MTA CEO Janno Lieber.
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Salazar has been honored with the 2022 Billionth Passenger Award.
She was stopped when she entered the subway at the 161st Street station in the Bronx. She was heading downtown to watch the movie Avatar. She received a $100 OMNY transit card, a free membership to the Transit Museum, and a framed painting of the subway.
"I woke up this morning just thinking I'm going to the movies and I see two men, 'Congratulations!' I was just shocked and surprised,” said Salazar.
The MTA measures passengers by Metrocard card swipes and credit card taps, and hasn't recorded a single billion trips since 2019. This is an important achievement for the agency, which is now trying to attract passengers, despite hybrid schedules and rising levels of violent crime.
“A big milestone, a positive milestone, much better than last year, much, much better than 2020 and a sign of progress. We hope 2023 will be an even better year,” Lieber said.
