Overnight Subway Service Returning in New York City

A big piece of the process of reopening New York City for business is scheduled for May 17, but numerous challenges remain in getting the city that never sleeps back on track.

2 minute read

May 4, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York City Subway

Kits Pix / Shutterstock

New York City will return to 24-hour subway service on May 17, report Winnie Hu, Daniel E. Slotnik, and Luis Ferré-Sadurní. The restoration of around-the-clock service is one of a series of reopenings announced for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut this week.

"Restaurants, offices, retail stores, theaters, museums, barber shops, amusement parks and gyms and fitness centers will all be allowed to operate at full capacity for the first time since restrictions were adopted last year to prevent the spread of the virus," according to the article."

The announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accelerates the plans of political rival and mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, who had recently announced a reopening goal of July 1 for the city.

"Businesses in New York will still have to abide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social distancing guidelines, which require a minimum of six feet of space between individuals," according to the article, noting that it might still not make sense for some businesses to reopen.

A separate article by Clayton Guse focuses more specifically on the subway reopening. Guse reports that while announcing the subway reopening, the governor touted the improvements made to the subway system during the months with limited service. "Subway trains have never been cleaner than they are now," said Cuomo.

Guse notes that one significant challenge still complicating the reopening of overnight subway service is a worker shortage at the MTA. "The agency has quietly cut more than 4,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic, leaving too few crews to run full bus and subway schedules," according to Guse.

Monday, May 3, 2021 in The New York Times

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business