New Yorkers are more afraid of taking the subway than getting COVID-19: all because of the violence in the subway

New York City Department of Transportation (MTA) survey data show that ordinary New York City subway and bus passengers feel less protected from crime and harassment than they did six months ago. The edition told in more detail New York Post.

A March poll of 25 “active” transit passengers showed that only 205% were “satisfied with the safety from crime and harassment on trains” - 26% less than in September 15,1.

Crime and harassment was also a major concern for current passengers - 72% of them described themselves as “very concerned” about travel safety. At the same time, only 69% noted concerns about wearing masks, 64% are concerned about COVID-19 and health safety, and 60% are concerned about social distancing. Pix11.

According to the survey, passengers who have yet to travel with the MTA during the pandemic consider “wearing masks” to be the number one obstacle to their return to transit.

The majority - 57% - of passengers surveyed who do not use metro and bus services attribute their absence from metro and buses to concerns about COVID-19. Together with 17% who said that crime is “a very important factor,” 87% of former passengers consider crime to be a factor that will influence their decision to use public transport in the future.

But many passengers are also concerned about crime and harassment - a poll found that 36% said they did not use public transport because of fears of crime, and seven in 10 called the issue "extremely important."

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“People have made it clear that if we make the system more secure, they will come back,” said MTA interim president Sarah Feinberg. "I think there are two things that hold people back: safety from crime and harassment and safety from COVID-19."

Public transport crimes have come under scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic amid a series of high-profile metro attacks.

Subway crime declined in January and February from the end of last year, according to NYPD statistics presented at the MTA's March board meeting. But the drop in crime remains less dramatic than the drop in passenger numbers.

Feinberg has repeatedly called on New York City police to expand their presence in the transportation system.

The city added 644 police officers to metro patrols in February, but a poll showed that less than half of passengers, or 45%, actually noticed the extra officers.

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“Over the past week or so, we've seen tons of stories about cities across the country that are seeing a surge in crime. This is not a criticism of the NYPD, ”Feinberg said. “What is happening all over the country is also happening in New York, as well as in the transportation system of New York. The metro is also a reflection of this. If you put additional resources in there, you can solve this problem in the bud. ”

Feinberg also called "efficient and reliable service" essential for the return of passengers.

Some insist on more frequent trains and buses. They argue that more trains will attract more passenger traffic, which in turn will increase safety.

“After all, the MTA cannot flood the transportation system with tens of thousands of police officers to keep an eye on every nook and cranny. It's impossible, ”said Danny Pearlstein, spokesman for the Riders Alliance. "The Governor's priority should be frequent and reliable service - and low rates - to attract more New Yorkers."