The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today issued an update as New York City enters Phase 3 reopening. Average weekday ridership on subways and buses has reached a combined total of more than 2.1 million – 1.1 million on subways and more than 1 million on buses. While a significant increase since the start of the pandemic, the figure represents a decline of 74% from normal weekday ridership levels of 7.6 million combined riders – 5.5 million on subways and 2.1 million on buses. LIRR ridership is down 80% from normal levels and Metro-North is down 85%.
The MTA has prepared its system for further ridership gains through increased service, around-the-clock disinfecting, and a mandatory requirement all customers and employees wear masks. With mask compliance at 95%, the MTA continues to distribute 2 million masks that were provided by the State and the City. The MTA has also deployed a dozen vending machines at 10 subway stations allowing customers to buy COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE). The new machines, part of a pilot program, offer reusable face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes.
Ridership and Service Details
New York City Transit
Since May 1, ridership on the New York City Subway has gradually increased, surpassing 1 million on June 24. It is now averaging more than 1.1 million on an average weekday, a decline of approximately 80% from normal levels. Subways returned regular weekday service on June 8 except for the continuing closure of the system between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for disinfecting and cleaning.
With bus service frequencies increasing to 100% in Manhattan, buses service levels are now at 100% of normal citywide. The MTA has created a new bus route, the B99, offering overnight-only express service between Midwood and Manhattan, following a route similar to the 
subway line. It operates every 20 minutes between 1 and 6 a.m. Bus ridership surpassed 1 million for the first time on Friday, June 19 and is now averaging more than 1 million, a decline of approximately 50% from the MTA’s normal average weekday bus ridership, which ranges between 2.1 and 2.5 million.
Additional Staten Island Railway service resumes on July 6 including express trains for the first time since the essential service plan was implemented. Morning rush hour service is every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes. Staten Island Railway trains are scheduled to coordinate with Staten Island Ferry departures and arrivals.
Long Island Rail Road
The LIRR introduced new timetables on June 8 that increase service to 90% of normal weekday service. Service details can be found on the MYmta and LIRR TrainTime apps, and via MTA.info. Off-peak fares continue to remain in effect at all times. The Long Island Rail Road continues to distribute masks and hand sanitizer at stations. To help foster social distancing as the LIRR welcomes customers back, it has made car-by-car seating availability information available in real-time on the recently updated LIRR TrainTime app. Off peak fares are in effect at all times.
Metro-North Railroad
New schedules are in effect today for the Pascack Valley Line and Port Jervis Line. On these lines, peak fares are being collected on peak trains. East of Hudson, Metro-North continues to provide 63% of normal service levels with the schedules that went into effect on June 22. Metro-North station ambassadors will continue to be at major stations. Metro-North has installed hand sanitizer dispensers at stations. Masks are stored on all trains in the event that a person boards without wearing one. A video offering guidance on how to ride Metro-North during this stage is here: https://youtu.be/AdvNJrlpqP8. As always, Metro-North is closely monitoring ridership on a train-by-train basis to be ready to make additional adjustments. East of Hudson, off peak fares are in effect at all times.
-via Press Release