MTA Installs Social Distance Markers At Midtown Stations: Report

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Subway riders at two Midtown Manhattan stations now have a visual guide to help them keep a safe social distance from other passengers in efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, according to reports.

The MTA installed the blue taped social distancing markers at The 51st Street and Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue stations, but essential workers who still rely on the subway system may start seeing the markers throughout the city, the New York Daily News first reported.

"We’re constantly exploring, implementing and evaluating new solutions to make our system safer for all customers and employees," MTA spokeswoman Abbey Collins told the Daily News.

New York's devastating coronavirus outbreak has forced transit officials to implement massive changes to the city's public transit system. New York City subways shut down 24-hour service for the first time in more than a century this month so the MTA can deep clean its fleet overnight.

Cleanliness concerns amid the new coronavirus pandemic spurred Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week to demand the MTA conduct daily disinfections of its subway cars. The MTA — facing an $8 billion budget deficit after ridership dropped 92 percent — responded with a historic plan to stop late night train service between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the first time in 115 years.

Ridership across the public transit system has plummeted as a result of stay-at-home orders issued by the state for non-essential workers. New York City bus and subway service was reduced by as much as 75% in late March. Commuter rail lines such as the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad have also seen service cuts as fewer people travel between the city and suburbs.

Read the full New York Daily News report here.