Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
MTA

Wednesday’s Headlines: One Billion Reasons for Optimism Edition

The MTA’s Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara presents Bronx resident Sasha Salazar with a gift for being the one billionth subway rider of 2022. Photo: Marc A. Hermann/MTA

It's our December donation drive. Click this link to donate.
It's our December donation drive. Click this link to donate.

The big photo op of the day was the MTA's celebration of its one-billionth subway rider of the year.

It's a bit of a meaningless statistic, considering that before the pandemic, the billion rides threshold would have been crossed months ago.

Indeed, as the Daily News put it, "By passing the 1 billion mark on Tuesday, the MTA has grown ridership by about 32 percent this year. But that figure is still 41 percent below the pre-pandemic 2019 ridership count." (amNY also covered.)

Still, it was nice to see some reason for good cheer, so we salute you, o billionth rider, Sasha Salazar!

In other news:

    • First, let's thank the donors who contributed yesterday to our annual fundraising drive: Thanks, Paul (and we will pass along your concerns about our old man editor's health)! Thanks, Ben and Cathy! Thanks, Daniel! Thanks, Jonathan! Anyone else want to give? Click the icon above.
    • We couldn't believe New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's lame answer last week to a reporter's question last week about his $10-billion-with-a-b Turnpike-widening plan, so we were pleased that Gothamist followed up and showed just how lame it was!
    • Mayor Adams gave himself a B+ for his debut in office. Too bad Katie Honan's excellent interview didn't address transportation. (The City)
    • Just the worst: A man piled his kids into his SUV ... then used it to run down his wife. (NYDN, NY Post)
    • Gothamist followed our earlier scoop about the failure of electric garbage trucks to handle the snow.
    • And, finally, don't forget there's still time to vote for the best DOT project of the year in our roundup from yesterday.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Just Absurd’: Adams Calls Unsafe McGuinness Blvd. Compromise a ‘Win’ Despite Lewis-Martin Bribery Indictment

The mayor sees no reason to revisit McGuinness even though the safety redesign was tainted by what the Manhattan DA calls a "classic bribery" scheme.

August 22, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Ingrid’s Side Gig Edition

The mayor's former top adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, thought she'd gotten a big acting break. But it was the beginning of the end. Plus other news.

August 22, 2025

‘Classic Bribery’: How a Powerful Brooklyn Family Crashed and Burned Over a Simple Bike Lane

Imagine destroying everything you've spent decades building to stop the city from building a bike lane. Welcome to Gina and Tony Argento's world.

August 22, 2025

Katie Wilson’s Success in Seattle Shows Again that Urbanism Is A Winning Campaign Issue

The advocate's strong early performance in Seattle's mayoral primary — following Zohran Mamdani's similar triumph — shows what you can do when you focus on transit.

August 22, 2025

Friday Video: How to Gear Up For Your Fall Bike Commute

The only must-haves for a cycling commute are a bike and a place you feel safe riding — but a few accessories don't hurt, either.

August 22, 2025

READ IT: The Argentos Bribed Lewis-Martin to Halt McGuinness Bike Lane, DA Says

Two members of a powerful Brooklyn theatrical production family bribed Mayor Adams's chief adviser to block the safety redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, court papers show.

August 21, 2025
See all posts