Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cuomo Announces 22-Hour Subway Service Will Start 2/22
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 15, 2021
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 .
MTA
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 15, 2021
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
Governor Andrew Cuomo and MTA officials announced on Monday that overnight subway service would start a phased return on February, 22nd. Instead of being closed from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for cleaning, the system will be closed from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
"The trains have never been as clean as they are now," Cuomo said, adding that since he has started to reopen things like indoor dining and large stadium events because of declining coronavirus rates, it was only appropriate that subway service would be increased.
The subways have been closed to overnight riders since May of 2020, when the agency started a massive cleaning effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. Around 150,000 people rode the subways overnight prior to the closure.
Public health experts agree that surface transmission of COVID-19 is exceedingly rare, and that mass transit is reasonably safe if riders wear masks. Subway trains still run overnight despite the closure, as they are used to transport workers and police. Around 50,000 people use the buses that the MTA has provided for people who need public transit overnight. Pressure has increased on the Cuomo administration to reopen 24/7 subway service by New York City lawmakers and transit advocates. A group of homeless advocates recently sued the MTA, alleging that its pandemic rules effectively discriminate against homeless subway customers.
"I don't understand how you can send people in hazmat suits through a train spraying chemical disinfectant with people on it," Cuomo said, when asked why the trains still needed to be shut down overnight for cleaning. "It doesn't make common sense to me."
MTA Chairman Pat Foye and New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg joined the governor during his press conference, and insisted that the same level of cleaning would continue between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Both reiterated their call for the NYPD to dispatch another 1,000 officers into the transit system, in addition to the 500 the NYPD added over the weekend, in response to a series of subway stabbings that resulted in the deaths of two homeless New Yorkers; two other people experiencing homelessness were also severely injured.
According to Feinberg, that would bring the total number of NYPD officers in the system to 4,000, roughly the same amount the system had in 1995.
Asked about the MTA's request earlier today, City Hall spokesperson Avery Cohen pointed to the 500 officers sent into the system over the weekend.
"Tens of thousands of riders depend on overnight subway service. The governor's partial reopening is an important step forward," said Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director at the Riders Alliance. "Riders will continue to press for full reopening in light of the MTA's clear ability to clean trains and the pressing need for more eyes on the system to keep New Yorkers safe."
Tagged
MTA
subway
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures two, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .