Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Rat On The R Train Sends Subway Riders Shrieking
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 26, 2012
Modified Jan 26, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 26, 2012
Modified Jan 26, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Normally putting your feet up (or god forbid standing on) the seats on the subway is totally verboten. But when a giant rat has decided to hop on the R train to Brooklyn with you? Understandable! Sit back and watch as another train full of humans freaks out over a rodent rail rider:
While rats are everywhere in subway stations, until recently you really didn't see them actually ON the subway very often (unless you are this guy)—pigeons are far more common. On the plus side though? At least nobody on this train stomped on the guy?
Meanwhile, while we have your attention, we'd like to take this moment to once again remind aspiring videographers that if you are going to record something in the wilds of the city on your fancy phone, for the love of good looking videos, turn it on its side!
Tagged
MTA
r train
rat
shrieking straphangers
subway
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty
Sneider Mejia and D’Angelo Caraballo are both facing several charges, including attempted first-degree murder.
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 2:40 p.m. ET
Man who pushed his baby and her mother from a Bronx balcony arraigned from psych ward
Angel Carrasco, who shoved his infant daughter and her mother from a 15th floor balcony, appeared virtually in Bronx criminal court.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Man who pushed his baby and her mother from a Bronx balcony arraigned from psych ward
Angel Carrasco, who shoved his infant daughter and her mother from a 15th floor balcony, appeared virtually in Bronx criminal court.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NYC looks to grow involvement in Open Streets as applications open for 2027
By
Catalina Gonella
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
By
Rosemary Misdary
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .