de Blasio, Straphangers: Put Station Agents Back on the Job

The lack of station agents is part of a broader problem with security in subways. Over half of the security cameras installed in subway stations currently do not work, raising additional concerns about straphangers’ safety. Approximately 2,300 of the 4,313 station security cameras have technical issues, leaving over 100 stations with no functioning security cameras.

Earlier this year, the Public Advocate highlighted the cost of past cuts to station agents on the transit system. In 2009 the MTA eliminated 212 station agents and the amount of revenue lost to turnstile jumpers and other farebeaters rose from $7 million to $20 million.