NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RELEASES REPORT ON COMBATING ROOT CAUSES OF GUN VIOLENCE

 

Today, the same week as the 1994 Crime Bill was passed twenty-eight years ago, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams has released a new report, Reimagining Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety for New York City, examining the root causes of gun violence in zip codes across the city, factors that compound that violence, and solutions which address the problem holistically, focusing on underlying factors rather than simply law enforcement. The report presents compelling visual evidence that areas of New York City with increased housing and food insecurity, lack of economic or educational opportunity, and limited access to mental and physical healthcare are the same areas which experience the trauma of elevated levels of gun violence. These underlying factors, it argues, create an environment for increased devastation and loss, whether from the COVID-19 pandemic or the epidemic of gun violence that it exacerbated. The Public Advocate will detail the report's findings at 12:00 PM today in a virtual press conference with municipal leaders from across the country.  New data analysis by the Office of the Public Advocate in the report depicts in stark relief the disparities and compounding issues in neighborhoods with more gun violence incidents, and charts propose remedies on the local, state, and federal level. Concretizing and publicizing these correlations is vital to reimagine public safety in the public consciousness, to confront the harm that ignoring these factors has caused, and to push leaders to commit to solutions that have actual positive impact, rather than perpetuating patterns of the past. Chief among these solutions is providing equitable resources across these quality-of-life issue areas to combat decades of disinvestment and reverse the damage done. “As our report demonstrates with striking clarity, the blocks across our city that are traumatized with the most violence in this moment are the same neighborhoods dealing with the highest risk and death from COVID, highest unemployment, highest mental distress calls, highest cost of housing, the highest school absences,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams of the report’s findings. “All of those things together encompass a problem that’s actually fixable if we want to invest political and financial capital to solve it.”  As discussed in the report, in 2019, New York City was the safest it had been in decades. The City invested in proven solutions like Crisis Management Systems and the Summer Youth Employment Program. These and other programs had an impact in undoing the harm and disparities of disinvestment in certain communities. When the pandemic drained city revenues, critical public safety and service programs were limited, and violence began to rise. In areas which were already disproportionately disadvantaged, this spike was greater and pain deeper. The report comes amid a troubling anniversary. This week in 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 into law. Instead of addressing systemic inequities or supporting communities with rising crime, the bill’s emphasis on lengthy and punitive prison sentences trapped unprecedented numbers of Americans in more jails for longer, tearing apart families and communities. The “tough on crime” legislation fueled and grew a prison industrial complex, and its impacts continue to reverberate and build on themselves as new generations are ensnared by an ever growing carceral state.  “The truth is that many of us have been making the argument for years that underlying factors are at the root of both creating an environment for and leading the work against crime and violence. We were largely ignored, and the results speak for themselves,” continued Public Advocate Williams. “We’re locking up the kids of the parents we locked up thirty years ago, and if we continue to ignore the evidence that this report puts forth, in favor of overpolicing, we will see the same results, the same harm, for decades to come.” On the local level, the report recommends:   Supporting the Summer Youth Employment Program   Expanding access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious food, especially in food deserts and for New Yorkers on food stamps   Greening vacant lots, planting trees, cleaning up parks, expanding community gardens, and building a more environmentally resilient city   Building and protecting deeply affordable housing    Hiring additional HPD and DOB inspectors to investigate housing violations   Investing in Crisis Management Systems    Developing and elevating an alternative non-police response to mental-health related calls   Passing legislation to: 1) establish a commission to study and make recommendations regarding the root causes of violence in the City, 2) create an interagency task force to be charged with studying the obstacles faced by children of incarcerated parents, from arrest to reunification, 3) establish an emergency student food plan, 4) establish a domestic violence survivor housing stability program, and more On the state level, the report supports:   Passing Good Cause Eviction protections   Investing one billion dollars in gun violence prevention, victims’ services, and youth programming   Passing legislation to: 1) address the school-to-prison pipeline, 2) establish a center for firearm violence research in New York State, 3) ensure that New Yorkers with substance use disorders, mental health concerns, and other disabilities have an off-ramp from the criminal legal system to obtain treatment and support in their communities, and more On the federal level, the report proposes:   Expanding law enforcement and interagency cooperation to stop gun trafficking    Passing legislation to: 1) establish new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties, 2) establish federal grant programs and related entities to support violence intervention initiatives, 3) establish the Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence, 4) establish a framework to regulate handguns as consumer products, and more  Read the full report on Read the full report on Reimagining Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety for New York City here.

New York-Presbyterian/Queens Hospital Settles Allegations of Federal Health Care Fraud for Over $2.5 Million

 

Hospital Resolves Claims that a Former Physician Performed Unnecessary Replacements of Batteries in Implanted Heart Rhythm Devices

 Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced a settlement agreement with New York-Presbyterian/Queens Hospital. The settlement agreement, which requires a payment of over $2.5 million, addresses allegations that a former physician at New York-Presbyterian/Queens performed services that were not medically necessary and then billed federal health care programs for those services. The services involved the replacement of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) pulse generator batteries.

“This more than $2.5 million settlement rectifies that New York-Presbyterian/Queens was paid by the federal government for unnecessary procedures,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office is committed to combatting fraud and abuse of our federal health care programs, especially when such conduct potentially puts patients at risk.”

Procedure Overview

An ICD is akin to a pacemaker. It is placed under a patient’s skin and is designed to ensure that the patient’s heart beats on a regular rhythm. ICDs run on batteries. Like all batteries, ICD batteries will eventually fail, which could lead to disastrous consequences, even death. But replacing an ICD battery involves a surgical procedure, which carries risk. Physicians closely monitor the functioning of ICD batteries so that they replace the batteries when they are nearing the end of their lives, but no earlier. That way, physicians can balance the risks associated with a failing ICD battery against the risk of the procedure needed to replace that battery. Put in more technical terms, the standard of care is to replace an ICD battery only when it reaches what is called the elective replacement interval (ERI) as determined by device interrogation conducted by specially equipped computerized monitors.

Settlement

A physician who was formerly affiliated with New York-Presbyterian/Queens repeatedly replaced ICD batteries earlier than was necessary. That is, he repeatedly replaced ICD batteries before they reached the ERI. Such batteries were functioning normally. He therefore subjected his patients to unneeded and risky surgical procedures. New York-Presbyterian/Queens then submitted claims for payments to federal health care programs for these procedures.

As a result of an internal investigation, New York-Presbyterian/Queens learned of the physician’s conduct. It voluntarily self-disclosed that conduct to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The settlement here, which requires New York-Presbyterian/Queens to pay $2,588,882.50 to the United States, resolves claims that the conduct violated the federal False Claims Act.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW NYCHA LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, ADVANCING TRANSFORMATION PLAN

 

Chair and CEO Roles Will Be Split, With National Search Underway for Permanent CEO

 

Current NYCHA General Counsel Lisa Bova-Hiatt Will Serve as Interim CEO

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a new leadership structure at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), splitting the roles of NYCHA chair and chief executive officer. Mayor Adams, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) have begun a national search for a new permanent CEO, and, beginning September 19, 2022, current NYCHA Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Lisa Bova-Hiatt will serve as interim CEO. Mayor Adams, HUD, and SDNY will continue working together on improving NYCHA and on further reforms under the 2019 federal agreement.

 

The restructuring represents a step forward in the next phase of NYCHA’s Transformation Plan and is consistent with the amendment to NYCHA’s bylaws adopted on June 15, 2022. The separation of these roles establishes a new and more effective leadership structure — aligning NYCHA with the operating structure of public housing authorities nationwide and the leadership structure laid out in NYCHA’s Transformation Plan.

 

“We cannot wait any longer to make transformational changes so NYCHA can provide safe, high-quality homes for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “I am determined to work with my partners in government to identify the right leaders and the right structure for NYCHA to deliver on our promises to public housing residents. I want to thank Lisa Bova-Hiatt for her dedicated service to our city and for stepping up at this critical time to put NYCHA on the right path.”

 

“Lisa is the right person to guide the NYCHA team, serve the residents, and advance the work that is underway,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “For too long, NYCHA has been underserved and the residents have been forgotten. That will not happen under this administration, and we will work closely with the interim CEO and eventual permanent CEO to ensure that we finally deliver the services and quality of life that NYCHA residents deserve.”

 

“I am honored to take on this role as interim CEO. NYCHA is New York City’s most vital affordable housing, and the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who live here deserve consistent leadership,” said incoming NYCHA Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “I look forward to moving the Authority forward through its many reforms and initiatives during these groundbreaking times and to maintain the momentum of NYCHA’s transformation.”

 

“Knowing the residents and NYCHA staff will be led by Lisa in the interim is an important move to continue strengthening NYCHA. As I step back into the role of chair of NYCHA’s Board of Directors, I will remain a resource and partner to Lisa, the NYCHA team, NYCHA residents, and the city,” said NYCHA Chair Gregory Russ. “My commitment to NYCHA remains as strong as ever, and as we strengthen the authority and deliver the Public Housing Preservation Trust together, I feel confident in the future of NYCHA.”

 

About Lisa Bova-Hiatt

 

With more than 25 years of government experience, Lisa Bova-Hiatt has served as NYCHA’s general counsel since February 2020, leading the Authority’s law department and helping to advance the transformation of NYCHA’s organizational structure, operations, management, and policies.

 

Bova-Hiatt was previously the general counsel of the City University Construction Fund and executive university counsel for The City University of New York. Before that, she served as executive director of the New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, where she played an integral role in helping New York state carry out the reconstruction of more than 12,000 homes and hundreds of infrastructure projects in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. She also held various roles at the New York City Department of Law, including deputy chief of the tax and bankruptcy litigation division.

 

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON RELEASES STRATEGIC POLICY PLAN OUTLINING BLUEPRINT FOR THE BRONX

 

As mandated by the New York City Charter, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson laid out a bold and sweeping 4-Year Strategic Policy Statement with a focus on equity and access. The report outlines her vision to address the long-term challenges facing the Bronx with comprehensive policy goals and a strategy to execute them.

In January, Vanessa L. Gibson was sworn in as the Bronx’s 14th Borough President, the first African American and woman to serve in this role. This 223-page report is the product of her years of experience serving as a New York State Assembly Member and New York City Council Member. In collaboration with the 12 Bronx Community Boards, and targeted discussions with stakeholders representing various neighborhoods throughout the Bronx, the report is the culmination of their discussion aimed at seeing Bronx residents empowered and uplifted.

“We are at a critical turning point in the Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “After enduring a global pandemic, we understand now more than ever the policy failures from the past that contributed to years of disinvestment in our borough and continue to have an adverse effect on the health and well-being of our communities. This is the time to be bold. We need creative solutions to address the issues impacting our residents and families and I believe my strategic policy plan does just that. It is a blueprint for how we move forward.”

She continued, “Working together with an energized leadership at all levels of government, we have an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past by ensuring our most vulnerable communities finally receive the necessary resources and support they deserve. We will no longer accept being the first in everything bad and the last in everything good.”

The Strategic Policy Plan begins with an Executive Summary and is divided into 4 sections beginning with, “The Office of the Bronx Borough President,” outlining the role of her Office in City government. The other sections are “The Bronx: Who We Are,” that provides an overview of the Bronx’s 1.4 million residents, followed by “The Bronx: Where We Live,” and the “The Bronx: How We Thrive,” that addresses Economic Development, Education, Health, Environmental Justice, Public Safety, Waste Management and Digital Equity.

“I am thankful to serve as Borough President for such a time as this and look forward to building, collaborating and creating new approaches, initiatives and partnerships that strive to improve our beloved Borough of the Bronx. The time is now. We are ready to lead. Ready to work. Ready to see the transformative change that the Bronx needs and deserves.”

For a full copy of the report, click here.

Release of BWC Footage from a Police-Involved Firearm Discharge that occurred May 21 2022 in the confines of the 43rd Precinct

 

The NYPD is releasing today body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 21, 2022, in the confines of the 43 Pct Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras. The benefits of cameras are clear: transparency into police activity, de-escalation of police encounters and accountability for police officers, through an independent account of interactions between the police and the citizens they serve. Body-worn cameras serve as a vital part of ongoing efforts to increase trust between the police and all New Yorkers.

You can find the video here

Council Approves Legislation to Address Gun Violence, Support Language Access at Abortion Providers, Prevent Opioid Overdoses in Bars and Clubs

 

Includes bill officially designating geographic boundaries of Times Square as ‘sensitive area’ by law

 The Council approved two bills to address gun violence, as well as legislation to support expanded language access at abortion providers and prevent opioid overdoses at bars and clubs. Introduction 602-A, sponsored by Speaker Adrienne Adams, defines the geographical boundaries of the Times Square area – now classified by State law as a “sensitive area” where licensed individuals are restricted from carrying concealed weapons.  The New York State Legislature recently amended statewide firearm regulations to establish schools, government buildings, places or vehicles used for public transport, religious institutions, and Times Square as such areas. It permitted the City to determine and identify the exact location. The law became necessary after the United States Supreme Court struck down the New York State law that place strict restrictions on who could carry concealed firearms. The boundaries, as defined by the bill, largely follow the area identified as Times Square by the official NYC Tourism website. It covers the area bounded by W. 40th Street to W. 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue; and parts of Ninth Avenue and the Port Authority Bus Terminal are included, which include several well-known restaurants, hotels and theaters.

“As soon as the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Bruen v. New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, I called on our partners in the State Legislature to enact legislation that would limit the locations where a person can carry a weapon, including in the Times Square area,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The State acted swiftly and responsibly, convening a special session a week later to directly address this issue. This legislation will help to prevent increased gun violence in our city, as we protect Times Square – the “Crossroads of the World.”

Introduction 518-A, sponsored by Council Member Shaun Abreu, requires the Mayor’s Office for Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to conduct a study on reducing the flow of illegal firearms into the city and submit an annual report to the Speaker and Mayor. This report will include information regarding each illegal firearm seized in New York City. More particularly, the report will include: (i) whether the firearm was connected to a crime; (ii) where the firearm originated; (iii) the date the firearm was seized or surrendered and the date the firearm was last sold legally; (iv) the location of the fire seizure; (v) the type of firearm; (vi) the manufacturer or importer of the firearm; (vii) whether the firearm was a ghost gun or a firearm created using a three-dimensional printer; (viii) the dealer of the firearm and whether such dealer was licensed; and (ix) whether the firearm was registered in any registry, including the national firearms registration and transfer record.

“From Buffalo, NY to Uvalde, TX to shootings in NYC, recent headlines have highlighted the pervasive and brutal nature of gun violence. We have worked hard to ensure that the laws of New York limit the sale and purchase of dangerous weapons in our state. However, these critical protections have not stopped dangerous, out-of-state guns from infiltrating our communities and ruining countless lives. Today’s bill targets the source of the weapons that end up in our city illegally and promotes cooperation between states to stop these guns at ports of entry,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “By marching, holding hearings, hosting press conferences, meeting with advocates, and discussing with key stakeholders, we created a high-impact bill that has widespread political and community support. We are particularly grateful to Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety for advising on this legislation. While Republicans continue to tear down common-sense gun safety provisions, New York City is sending a strong message to the entire country that we won’t let partisan politics get in the way of strong public safety measures. We are proud to see our legislation pass today and know that these steps, along with a focus on youth programming, mental health support, and environmental design, are key to developing a city-wide strategy to meaningfully and permanently restrict the flow of dangerous weapons into our communities.”

Introduction 458-A, sponsored by Speaker Adams, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to create resources in all designated citywide languages for a potential patient of an abortion provider. The bill would also require DOHMH to survey abortion providers in the city to assess the availability of language access services for abortion, the demand for such services, and any challenges for implementation. DOHMH would be required to report its findings to the Speaker and the Mayor with recommendations, including any role the City can play in assisting abortion providers with language access services, and the feasibility of providing a City grant program.

“Language access is critical and a priority of this Council, and nowhere is that more important than in health care,” said Speaker Adams. “I am proud to support expanded language access services for abortion providers, and this Council will continue working to make abortion and all essential health care services accessible in New York City.”

Introduction 56-A, sponsored by Council Member Chi Ossé, would require DOHMH to create a Nightlife Opioid Antagonist Program to help prevent opioid overdoses in nightlife establishments. The program would permit nightlife establishments in the City to request and retain opioid antagonists (like Narcan) on premises, free of charge, for administration to patrons, staff or individuals experiencing an opioid overdose. This bill would also require DOHMH to offer free resources and training to staff of participating nightlife establishments on the administration of opioid antagonists.

“This is an overdue measure that will, simply, save lives,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “Each overdose death is a preventable tragedy; we do not accept them here in New York City. I am proud to partner with Council Member Powers in this necessary bill and thrilled to see it become law. New York City became safer today.”

Land Use

1859 Strang Avenue – Strang Avenue LLC requests approval for a zoning map amendment to change the project area which is zoned R4 and R4-1 to contain a C2-3 commercial overlay. These actions will facilitate the construction of a new single-story commercial retail development and include 12 accessory parking spaces, in Council Member Kevin Riley’s district

Halletts North Rezoning – Astoria Owners LLC seeks a zoning map amendment from M1-1 to R7-3/ C2-4 and related zoning text amendments, waterfront authorizations, and a city map amendment to facilitate a new mixed-use development on the waterfront of the Halletts Point peninsula in northwest Queens. It will include a projected 1,340 housing units, 335 permanently affordable units under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), 525 parking spaces, 525 bicycle spaces, 1,800 square feet of commercial use, 21,500 square feet of community facility space and approximately one acre of open space, including a waterfront esplanade. The Council is modifying the application to map MIH Option 3 (the “Deep Affordability” option) and to amend the site plan to restore the pedestrian walkway to its regulation width of 10 feet, in Council Member Tiffany Cabán’s district. 

Finance

• A pre-considered resolution that approves an exemption from real property taxes for property located at 3300 Palmer Avenue in the Bronx in Council Member Kevin Riley’s district. The project consists of 2 buildings with 135 units. The tax exemption will replace a soon-to-expire 421-A exemption and will keep all units rent restricted for 40 years. The AMIs will range from 75% to 100%.
• A preconsidered resolution that approves an exemption from real property taxes for property located at 1700 Harrison Avenue in the Bronx in Council Member Piereina Sanchez’s district. The project consists of 1 building with 79 units. Currently less than half the units are rent restricted and with this tax exemption all of them will be. The AMIs will range from 50% to 80%.
• And another preconsidered resolution that approves an exemption from real property taxes for an affiliated property located at 1730 Harrison Avenue in the Bronx in Council Member Sanchez’s district. The project consists of 1 building with 77 units. Less than half the units in this building are currently rent restricted and with this tax exemption all of them will be. The AMIs will similarly range from 50% to 80%.

Rules

• Sarah Carroll, for re-appointment as Chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission
• Gail Benjamin, for appointment as a member of the New York City Planning Commission
• Anthony Crowell, for appointment as a member of the New York City Planning Commission
• Milton Williams, for appointment as a member of the Conflict of Interests Board
• Elisa Velazquez, for appointment as a member of the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission
• Technical correction related to Rasmia Kirmani-Frye’s appointment as a member of the New York City Planning Commission

Luchese Crime Family Soldier and Five Others Charged in Connection with Operating Long-Running Illegal Gambling Business

 

Charges Against Luchese Crime Family Solider Anthony Villani Include Racketeering and Money Laundering for Operation That Brought Millions in Profits

 In federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging six defendants for their roles overseeing and operating a large-scale illegal, online gambling business under the protection of the Luchese organized crime family.  In operation for more than 15 years, the gambling business known as “Rhino Sports,” utilized an offshore website and dozens of bookmakers in the New York area to take millions in illegal sports bets. 

Four of the defendants, Luchese crime family solider Anthony Villani and associates Louis Tucci, Jr., Dennis Filizzola and James Coumoutsos, were arrested at their residences in the New York area, and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon by United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann.  A fifth defendant, bookmaker Michael Praino, was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida and will make his initial appearance tomorrow morning in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges. 

“As alleged, this conduct demonstrates how members of La Cosa Nostra continue to engage in illegal gambling operations and money laundering money-marking schemes that lead to threats of violence against anyone who stands in their way and has resulted in millions of dollars in profits to the Luchese crime family,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “These charges illustrate this Office’s continued commitment to rooting La Cosa Nostra out of New York.” 

Mr. Peace thanked the New York City Police Department, New York State Police, and the Westchester County Police for their assistance in the investigation.

"Members of the mafia are not giving up the tried and true methods of criminal behavior, even in the face of the burgeoning world of legal gambling. As we allege, a Luchese soldier and other family members ran an illegal gambling operation and offered their clientele the same twisted customer service: do what they say or face terrifying consequences. One thing these criminals can bet on - the FBI will continue our pursuit," stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

 As alleged in the indictment and court filings, defendant Anthony Villani, an alleged Luchese solider, oversaw a large-scale illegal gambling business called Rhino Sports (the “Gambling Business”).  The Gambling Business was in continuous operation from at least 2004 through December 2020.  During that period, the Gambling Business was hosted online using offshore servers in Costa Rica and employed local bookmakers to pay and collect winnings in cash.  Records obtained from the Gambling Business’s website indicated that Villani’s illegal gambling operation regularly took bets from between 400 and 1,300 bettors each week, most of whom were based in New York City and the metropolitan area.  As alleged, Villani’s bookmakers regularly included members and associates of the Luchese crime family and other La Cosa Nostra families.  As part of the scheme, Villani employed co-conspirators Louis Tucci, Jr. and Dennis Filizzola, as runners to assist in operating the business. Villani is alleged to have received more than $1 million annually from the business.  During law enforcement searches related to this matter in December 2020, agents recovered over $407,000 in cash from one of Villani’s residences, as well as brass knuckles and gambling ledgers.

The unsealed indictment charges Villani with racketeering in connection with participation in various criminal schemes, including illegal gambling, money laundering and attempted extortion.  As one part of the money laundering, Villani and co-defendant Filizzola used gambling proceeds to purchase U.S. Postal Service money orders disguised as rent payments to a property owned by Villani.  Further, between April 2020 and October 2020, Villani is alleged to have attempted to extort an individual identified as John Doe in the indictment, including by telling John Doe: “I’m telling you right now, you don’t get this money – [expletive] run away.” 

Governor Hochul Announces MTA Metro-North Railroad Breaks Pandemic-era Ridership Record for Second Time in Two Weeks

 Metro-North Carried 180,200 Riders on Tuesday, September 13, Topping Previous Record Set Wednesday, September 7

New York City Subway and Long Island Rail Road Yesterday Reached Second Highest Ridership Since Pandemic Began

See Day-by-Day Ridership Data for MTA Agencies Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Metro-North Railroad carried record pandemic-era ridership yesterday with 180,200 riders, or 68.6 percent of the pre-pandemic average, topping Metro-North's previous record, set on Wednesday, September 7, of 179,600. Metro-North ridership on the four weekdays after Labor Day was the highest four-day streak since COVID began, with an average weekday ridership of 171,000 or 65.1 percent of pre-pandemic average.

"Our record-breaking ridership numbers are the latest indicator that New York's post-pandemic comeback is gaining momentum in New York City and the Hudson Valley," Governor Hochul said. "Having more New Yorkers use our public transit is not only good for the economy, but also great for the environment, and this latest milestone is an encouraging sign for what's to come."

Metro-North President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said, "We are seeing a healthy return of riders across all railroad travel markets, an indication that more and more riders are finding that the commuter railroads are a fast and easy way to travel in our region - even more so with the launch of our new Train Time app that puts ticketing, hyper-granular real time train information and live interactive customer service in one place."

Additionally, Ridership numbers on New York City Transit and the Long Island Rail Road were also high. Subway ridership reached 3.61 million on Sept. 13, the second highest number since the pandemic began in New York in March 2020. Buses carried approximately 1.42 million riders on the same day. LIRR carried 200,200 riders or 69 percent of pre-pandemic ridership, its second-highest ridership of the pandemic and second only to the record set on Wednesday, Sept. 7, of 204,000.

The MTA continues to encourage ridership with fare discounts rolled out earlier this year. Both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North rolled out fare offerings including a 10 percent discount for monthly passes, and a new 20-trip ticket tailored for the hybrid work schedule. The new 20-trip ticket saves riders 20 percent on regular peak one-way fares. For commuter rail riders traveling within the five boroughs the MTA also expanded City Ticket, which offers a reduced, flat fare of $5.00 for rail travel within New York City on weekends, to include all weekday off-peak trains.