Subway service struggles under MTA staff shortage

MTA
Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The MTA still doesn’t have enough subway operators and conductors for full subway service.

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The beleaguered agency is trying to catch up after a pandemic hiring freeze that left the MTA short staffed ended in October.

There are currently 7,825 people who operate subway trains — 430 less than than staffed the subway at the start of the pandemic,

That shortage left the MTA unable to run 6% of rush-hour subway trains in February.

Interim NYC Transit President Craig Cipriano told the New York Daily News that more crew members are currently being trained, and the MTA expects a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels soon.

The MTA has cut training times from eight months down to six months in an attempt to get more staff on the tracks.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images