Return to Normal: New York City Resumes Overnight Subway Service

The COVID-19 pandemic stole some of the incredible benefits of living in New York City, but as of this morning, the overnight service that so many in the nation's largest city rely on is back.

1 minute read

May 17, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Subway Coronvairus

Kevin Benckendorf / Shutterstock

"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday resumed 24/7 subway service for the the [sic] first time since last May when the agency suspended overnight rides due to the coronavirus pandemic," report Shannon Caturano and Justine Re.

Overnight service was suspended just a little over a year ago, when ridership had reached 10,000 people per night, and overall ridership on the system had declined by 92 percent.

Subway ridership is still recovering, with over 2 million people riding the system now per wek, down from the pre-pandemic daily ridership of 5.4 million. The New York MTA is also rehiring as the ridership numbers climb back up. According to the article, "the MTA has also restarted hiring bus operators, train operators, conductors, and cleaners throughout the system. The agency had been under a hiring freeze that began at the height of the pandemic."

More details on the system's reopening emerged when the reopening was announced, back at the beginning of this month.

Monday, May 17, 2021 in Spectrum News 1

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

People vote in Chicago behind blue privacy screens

Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners

Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents

November 5 - Block Club Chicago

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks into a microphone. He wears a gray suit.

NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting

New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.

November 5 - The City Reporter

People in Los Angeles going to the polls, following a sign with an "I Voted" design

California appears to reject Prop. 45

The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.

November 5 - Cal Matters