MTA Sees 80 Percent Increase In Subway Trains Delayed By Unruly Passengers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It seems problem passengers are to blame for many delays on the New York City subway system.
In January, 2,300 trains were delayed due to unruly passengers starting fights, pulling the emergency brake and holding the doors, among other things, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority confirmed to 1010 WINS. That's up 80 percent from the previous year.
The Lexington Avenue No. 6 line tops the list followed by the Nos. 2 and 5 lines.
MTA Sees 80 Percent Increase In Trains Delayed By Unruly Passengers
One rider at the 125th Street station in Harlem said he's not surprised.
"People get so upset at each other, fighting over a seat, pushing," the rider told 1010 WINS' Al Jones. "They're holding up everybody, then they have to call the cops, and the train is held for a couple of minutes."
Another rider said over the weekend two men started throwing punches over a seat, delaying the train as police officers removed them.
"It's the world we live in now. Some people are just mad sometimes. You seen them? They're mad for no reason," said the rider, who believes those who hold the doors for friends are responsible for the most delays. "There's other people that got to get to work on time. You know some people are late, and that's just making it worse."
Earlier this year, the MTA launched a campaign to get subway riders to be courteous to their fellow passengers.
A similar courtesy campaign was launched this month on the city's buses.
