NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – MTA conductors says the subway has become dirtier as the number of homeless people in the system increases and fewer trains run.
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Conductors told CBS New York that trains are less sanitary and social distancing has become more difficult after the MTA cut service to about 75 percent.
The trains are still running for essential workers like medical staff, but ridership is down over 90 percent as people stay home.
"Because we have less trains to work with, the homeless in the system congregate on fewer trains," an anonymous conductor told CBS. "It's causing a hazard to MTA employees and the people that we have to transport during this time."
Another conductor said trash, feces and urine have created a "very toxic, unsafe environment."
"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is now the Metropolitan Transmission Authority. They are transporting this virus," the conductor said, citing an "astronomical amount of homeless people."
The MTA has been disinfecting cars, buses and stations every 72 hours, and Mayor Bill de Blasio said the NYPD "has been out there in force trying to address this issue."
Sources told CBS that Sarah Feinberg, the MTA's interim NYC Transit president, has been trying to meet with the mayor about the problems.
1010 WINS has reached out to the MTA for comment.
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