Find NYC’s Worst Subway Stations via This Map
Many subway stations are in need of repairs: chipped paint, crumbling ceilings and leaking pipes are only a few of the problems pervading the NYC commuter experience. A new map constructed by the Citizens Budget Commission details which structural components among New York’s 467 stations are most dilapidated, painting a pretty grim picture of the citywide transit system, much of which fails to meet the MTA’s criteria for a “good state of repair.”
The CBC characterized the task of mending the great swath of decaying subway stations as mirroring the ancient Greek myth of Sisyphus–the man condemned to push a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down every time. In their report, the CBC noted that under the aegis of the city’s 2015-2019 capital plan, which currently lacks a full level of funding, “the MTA’s current and planned pace of work would never bring all stations” to a state of good repair.
The MTA is pinpointing various defunct fixtures and assessing their dinginess on a point scale. “For the 2015-2019 capital plan the agency seeks to repair or replace all components rated 4 or higher and all stairs and platform edges, two components related to passenger safety, rated 3.5 or higher,” the report states.
As one would imagine, there’s quite a lot of money being funneled into the subway repairs. The CBC reports that “the proposed plan includes nearly $1.4 million for projects to improve station components: $890 million for repairing 420 structural components at 179 different stations and $448 million for 20 station renewals addressing 330 structural components.”
Along with their report, the CBC has also suggested diverting some of the MTA’s current subway expansion funding to help with the renovations. Gothamist reports that MTA has no intention of channeling money away from the 2nd avenue subway extension to fund repairs around the city. MTA spokeswoman Amanda Kwan said in a statement: “At a time when growing ridership is leading to crowding and delays, we must pursue expansion projects that will accommodate more customers as well as provide new connections and opportunities for our customers.”
The CBC also released a citywide interactive map depicting every station in the city, which should give you a pretty good idea of where your home stop fits in among the nexus of crumbling infrastructure.
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