The NYC subway just had its worst summer in nearly a decade, says new MTA data

This summer, June and July produced 138 major incidents—delays affecting 50 or more trains—making them the subway system's worst months since 2018. Aging electrical and signal systems drove many disruptions, with July hitting record highs for such delays. Planned upgrades are significantly behind schedule, delayed between nine months and three years. A five-month funding standoff earlier this year also constrained the MTA's five-year construction plan. Revised 2023 criteria for major incidents increased reported counts by logging more granular disruptions. On-time performance remained roughly similar to last summer, with about one in five weekday trains delayed, while capital investments are planned to address failures.

This summer, NYC's subway system felt more like a jump scare than a public service. And it wasn't just in our heads: According to fresh MTA data, June and July delivered a staggering 138 "major incidents" (defined as delays that held up 50 or more trains), marking the system's worst two months since 2018, when the MTA declared a state of emergency over rampant service failures.

In July alone, delays tied to aging electrical and signal systems hit record highs. Upgrades meant to be the cure-all fix for most of the most egregious issues are still badly behind, slipping anywhere from nine months to three years past their deadlines. And the MTA's five-year construction plan was hamstrung earlier this year by a five-month funding standoff between lawmakers and the governor.

OK, sure, but that metric has nothing to do with the underground white water rafting many riders had to embark upon during the recent storms. Still, MTA spokesperson Joana Flores claimed that on-time performance remained roughly on par with last summer, with about one in five weekday trains delayed. Flores added that ongoing repairs and significant investments planned in the upcoming capital plan should eventually ease the pain points. Hopefully, that happens before fares for unreliable transit climb up to the proposed $3.

Read at Time Out New York