In a significant move to enhance the safety of subway riders, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has installed metal barriers at 56 subway stations across New York City, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul’s office on Friday.
The newly installed barriers are located on sections of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M, and L train lines. Governor Hochul’s office indicated that the stations selected for the installation prioritize those with higher ridership and island platforms.
During her 2025 State of the State address, Hochul emphasized the need to improve subway safety by installing protective platform barriers at over 100 of the 472 state-run MTA stations by the end of the year.
“New Yorkers’ safety will always be my number one priority, and customers need to both feel and be secure every time they ride the subway,” Hochul stated.
At her direction, the MTA has accelerated the installation of these barriers while also enhancing station safety with brighter LED lighting and equipping every subway car with security cameras.
The response from subway riders has been largely positive. According to an MTA customer survey, about 59% of riders expressed support for the installation of platform barriers throughout the subway system.
Riders at the Flushing-Main Street station on the 7 train in Queens shared their thoughts with amNewYork, noting that they feel more secure with the added barriers.
“I stand way back until the train doors open because I have seen so much on the subway, but it seems good,” commented Javier, a local resident.
Another commuter, Steven from Manhattan, remarked, “If it helps keep people safe, it’s a good thing,” while on his way to a Mets game.
The specific subway stations that have received these barriers span across the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. In Brooklyn, the stations include Clark St. (2, 3), Morgan Ave. (L), Grand St. (L), and several more.
Manhattan stations where barriers were installed include 191 St. (1), Fifth Ave. (7), and Grand Central-42 St. (7), among others.
In Queens, additional safety measures have been rolled out, though specific station names for the borough were not detailed in the announcement.
The MTA has reported an overall decline in major crimes, with statistics showing a 3% drop compared to the same period last year and nearly a 10% reduction compared to pre-pandemic levels.
MTA agency chair and CEO Janno Lieber indicated that the enhancements to subway safety culminate from a combination of new platform barriers, the installation of thousands of security cameras, increased NYPD presence, and a general reduction in crime.
These upgrades appear to have led to a significant rise in customer satisfaction this year, reflecting the ongoing commitment by the MTA and state officials to prioritize rider safety.
With more barriers planned for installation throughout the year, the initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to making the subway system safer for New Yorkers.
image source from：amny
