In a pursuit to enhance commuters’ safety, more than 50 subway stations in the metropolis of New York City have been updated with platform shield installations. This update, covering 56 subway stations in the city, was confirmed in a statement released by Gov. Kathy Hochul last Friday.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is leading the charge on these installations, driven by Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State directive. The plan calls for the installation of safety barriers at over 100 subway stations by the termination of 2025. This is one of the many steps in a broader strategy designed to boost safety in NYC’s subway infrastructure.
Not limiting its efforts to only barriers, the MTA is also leading a comprehensive overhaul of station lighting to more energy-efficient LED technology. Shifting to lower-energy consumption bulbs, as many as 342 subway stations have already received these integral upgrades. The MTA’s ambitious plan aims to pivot to LED technology in all 472 stations by the year 2026.
“The safety of New Yorkers is, and will always be, my top priority. Every passenger should feel safe and secure every time they utilize our subway system,” Gov. Hochul articulated. “Guided by my directive, the MTA is accelerating the installation process of protective platform barriers and continue to illuminate stations with LED lighting. Additionally, every subway car will be outfitted with security cameras.”
These efforts have begun to bear fruit with a noticeable reduction in transit-related crime in 2025, making the commute more secure for all. As remarked by Gov. Hochul’s office, the subway system is steadily becoming safer.
There has been a diminution in the overall incidence of serious crimes. Compared to the same duration last year, they have decreased by 3% and down 10% versus levels prior the pandemic. An interesting revelation is that there is a strong support among the commuters to install safety barriers across the subway system.
Recent surveys of subway users revealed that 59%, a significant majority, of all riders are in favor of these safety upgrades. This figure rises to 88% among riders aged 65 and older, demonstrating appreciation for the move to enhance safety in the subway system.
Feasibility dictates the selection of stations for the barrier installations, particularly those with standardized stopping points for carriages. Of these lines, subway stops with high ridership and island platforms are given a higher priority. The selection impacts segments of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M, and L train lines.
We provide here a catalog of stations where the safety barriers have already been installed. In Brooklyn, these include stations such as Clark St – 2, 3; Morgan Av – L; Dekalb Av – L; Halsey St – L; Bushwick Av-Aberdeen St – L; and Myrtle-Wyckoff Avs – L, M among others.
Additional Brooklyn stations include Graham Av – L; Jefferson St – L; Bedford Av – L; Lorimer St – L; Wilson Av – L; Montrose Av – L; and Eastern Pkwy-Brooklyn Museum – 2, 3. The barriers have also been installed at Grand Army Plaza – 2, 3; President St – 2, 3; Hoyt St – 2, 3; Beverly Rd – 2, 5; Sterling St – 2, 5; Bergen St – 2, 3; and Winthrop St – 2, 5.
In Manhattan, the safety installations have been completed at subway stations such as 191 St – 1; 5 Av – 7; 1 Av – L; 6 Av – L, 125 St – 4, 5, 6 as well as at Bowery – J, Z. Other stations include Fulton St – J, Z; Broad St – J, Z; Canal St – J, Z; Wall St – 2, 3; 23 St – 6; and Central Park North-110 St – 2, 3.
Manhattan stations also seeing these improvements include 135 St – 2, 3; Astor Place – 6; 8 Av – L; Bleecker St – 6; Fulton St – 2, 3; Spring St – 6; 103 St – 6; and Park Place – 2, 3. The remaining stations with new barriers include 28 St – 6; 68 St-Hunter College – 6; 33 St – 6; 96 St – 6; 77 St – 6; 145 St – 1; Grand Central-42 St – 7; and Christopher St-Stonewall – 1.
In the borough of Queens, platform edge barriers have been installed at Flushing-Main St – 7, 46 St – M, R, and 67 Av – M, R. Other stations include 75 Av – E, F; Woodhaven Blvd – M, R; and Jamaica Center-Parsons Blvd-Archer Av – E, J, Z.
This evolving list of station updates reflects the commitment to augment commuters’ safety across the New York City subway system. It is this care and attention to passengers’ wellbeing that enables NYC’s subway system to remain a crucial and reliable cornerstone of city life, enabling residents and tourists alike to travel throughout the big apple swiftly and safely.
In the light of these improvements, this evolved transit model encourages a safe and convenient commute for everyone. It also silently reassures passengers that their safety is paramount, thereby encouraging more people to leverage the convenience and efficiency of the city’s subway.
This is the ongoing journey of New York City’s subway system, consistently innovating and enhancing to meet the needs of its daily passengers. The city is diligently working, station by station, to ensure safety, reliability, and confidence in one of the world’s prominent subway systems.
The post New York City Bolsters Subway Safety with Platform Shield Installations appeared first on Real News Now.
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