Subway Safety: Justin Fox Argues Why New York City's Transit System Is More Secure Than Driving a Car
In a recent hearing at the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in Washington, Representative Jerry Nadler of Manhattan and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy were present to discuss the safety of New York City's subways. The focus of the discussion was the significant decline in subway crime in 2025 compared to previous years.
According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), there has been a 21% overall drop in subway crimes in 2025 compared to the 2024 monthly average. This drop is particularly noteworthy considering that May 2025 saw a 23% rise in serious crimes such as assaults and violent thefts compared to April 2025, and a 5.1% increase compared to May 2024. However, June 2025 featured a 6.4% decrease in transit-related offenses versus June 2024, indicating improvement.
The drop in crime is attributed to an "aggressive" safety action plan, which includes enhanced surveillance with cameras in every subway car and increased police patrols on trains and platforms. These measures have resulted in a safer environment for subway riders, with the risk for someone who rode the subway 500 times in 2025 being 0.4 in 100,000, making it much less dangerous than getting around by car.
Broader New York City data reflects declines in major crimes citywide in the first half of 2025. Murders are down 23%, robberies are down 13%, felony assaults are down 1%, and shooting incidents have been reduced by around 23-30% year-over-year. These citywide improvements align with subway crime reductions, as transit robberies fell to their lowest level in nearly two decades during this period.
Comparing to historical rates, the current 2025 levels represent notable improvement from prior years, especially from the sharp increases in transit crime witnessed during the pandemic and immediate post-pandemic period. The MTA's crime levels today are lower than in 2024 overall, although still subject to fluctuations month to month. The focus on strong law enforcement presence and surveillance marks a departure from earlier periods with more persistent anonymous or fare-evasion-related crimes.
As of the end of May 2023, the number of major felonies on the subway is down 7.3% compared to 2019. Robbery rates have been falling and are close to pre-pandemic levels, as of the first half of 2023. Grand larceny, theft of items worth $1,000 or more, has been falling relative to ridership since 2022 and is at its lowest since 2010, as of the first half of 2023.
In conclusion, New York City subway crime in 2025 is on a clear downward trend, returning to safer conditions closer to or better than pre-pandemic times, supported by coordinated enforcement and advanced monitoring technology. Leaving New York City is dangerous, and a transportation secretary truly concerned about safety wouldn't be trying to scare people away.
- The focus on safety in New York City's subway infrastructure has been bolstered by increased financing towards enhanced surveillance systems and police patrols, aimed at reducing crime-related incidents in transportation.
- In the wider context of the city's general news, a significant decrease in major crimes citywide has been observed, with notable declines seen in murder, robbery, felony assault, and shooting incidents in 2025.
- Moreover, the transportation industry should take note of the successful implementation of the "aggressive" safety action plan in New York City's subway system, serving as a potential model for other urban transportation systems dealing with crime-related issues.
- The crime-and-justice sector will continue to monitor the ongoing improvements in subway crime rates, with a particular interest in maintaining the downward trend and ensuring the safety of passengers in the years to come.
