NYC Subway Riders Return to Outer Boroughs While Business Areas Lag
- Commuter retention rate in Manhattan stations is 50% or lower
- Ridership is already 19% short of estimates amid rising crime
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New York City’s subway system is struggling to win back riders going into Manhattan’s central business district, a blow for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as it grapples with subway attacks and a budget deficit.
The MTA is at about 60% of pre-pandemic ridership. Weekday subway ridership has been increasing, reaching a pandemic record of 3.6 million as of May 18. But rider retention rates in Manhattan’s central business district, including Midtown and the Financial District, are still 50% or lower, the agency said Wednesday. By comparison, more riders are using stations located in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. Rider retention rates in those outer boroughs are as high as 80%.