The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the New York City Subway carried more than 2.38 million customers yesterday, the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.  The milestone extending a string of previous records set within recent weeks: 2.35 million riders on May 27, 2.27 million on May 14, and 2.24 million 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, Executive Vice President of Subways for MTA New York City Transit. “This is a clear sign that the normal rhythms of the region are returning.”

The MTA has undertaken unprecedented cleaning and disinfecting protocols in the year since the pandemic began to ensure that the system is as safe as possible for its customers. The Authority has also rolled out robust public education campaigns and issued millions of masks to its customers. The MTA is hosting public vaccination hubs at Grand Central and Penn Station. 
 
Prior to the pandemic, average weekday ridership totals routinely exceeded 5.5 million in the subway system. That figure fell by more than 90% to a low of roughly 300,000 daily trips last April as the number of COVID-19 cases peaked in the New York City area. MTA employees continued to provide service for the frontline healthcare professionals and other essential workers who needed to get to work during some of the most difficult days in New York City history.