NYC Buses Surpass 2019 Ridership as Transit Rebounds
MTA subway ridership reaches 85% of 2019 levels while buses surpass pre-pandemic numbers
MTA Ridership Hits 85% as Buses Exceed 2019 Levels
New York's MTA is celebrating strong 2025 performance with subway ridership reaching 85% of pre-pandemic levels while bus ridership has surpassed 2019 numbers, according to data reported by NY1. The transit agency also reported a 6% decrease in crime, a 40% reduction in fare evasion, and over $100 million collected in the first month of congestion pricing that started January 5. Officials said the improvements show the system's continued recovery serving millions of daily commuters across the metropolitan area.
Different Recovery Paths for Transit Modes
The ridership recovery shows how different transit modes are bouncing back from the pandemic's impact, which caused ridership to drop over 90% during 2020 lockdowns. Subway ridership at 85% of 2019 levels shows steady progress but indicates commuting patterns haven't fully returned to pre-pandemic norms. Bus ridership exceeding pre-pandemic numbers demonstrates that buses have become increasingly popular with commuters, though officials didn't specify the exact percentage above 2019 levels. The MTA served approximately 5.5 million subway riders and 2.3 million bus riders daily before the pandemic.
Crime and Fare Evasion Show Significant Drops
Crime across the MTA system decreased 6% in 2025, according to transit agency data, though officials didn't provide a breakdown by transit mode or crime type. Subway fare evasion dropped 40% during the same period, representing a major improvement in revenue collection for the cash-strapped agency. The fare evasion reduction comes as the MTA has increased enforcement efforts and installed new fare gate technology at stations systemwide. Specific details about how the crime reduction was measured or which types of crimes saw the largest decreases weren't available.
Congestion Pricing Generates Early Revenue
The MTA's congestion pricing program, which launched January 5 after being paused in mid-2024 by Governor Hochul, generated over $100 million in its first month of operation. The program charges vehicles entering Manhattan's central business district, with revenue designated for MTA capital improvements. Officials didn't provide specific details about how the congestion pricing funds will be allocated across different projects. The New York program follows London's model, where congestion charging has operated for over 20 years.
Recovery Outpaces Other Major Transit Systems
The MTA's ridership recovery significantly outpaces other major U.S. transit systems still struggling to regain riders. Washington's WMATA reached only 50-60% of pre-pandemic ridership as of 2024, while San Francisco's BART hit 40-50%, according to those agencies' data. The stronger New York recovery is important for demonstrating system viability and securing continued federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration. Riders can track real-time service updates and plan trips across the MTA network using Moovit's transit app.
