New York Subway Ridership Sets Pandemic Record High

One of the most hopeful days for public transit in New York City in...well, a year.

1 minute read

March 16, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Subway Coronvairus

Kevin Benckendorf / Shutterstock

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported its highest total daily ridership of the pandemic on Friday, March 12, with 1,863,962 paid trips, breaking the previous pandemic record of 1,857,822 trips on October 15. "The bus system, too, saw a spike of approximately 1.13 million additional daily trips recorded Friday, bringing trips taken systemwide to just under 3 million for the day," reports Diane Pham.

The MTA still hasn't reopened overnight service, which it closed for overnight cleaning, in a highly controversial decision, in May 2020, and ridership is still well below pre-pandemic norms. But the recent ridership improvements, coupled with news about $6.5 billion in direct funding support on the way from the federal government, are offering some long-awaited notes of optimism for transit in the nation's most populous city.

According to Pham, the MTA is spending the interim months and weeks providing support for vaccination services, recently releasing a new map that includes vaccination sites among other actions.

Monday, March 15, 2021 in Urbanize New York

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City