By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh
New Yorkers are willing to try bikes, scooters, electric mopeds, and even skateboards to get around the city. As long as the mode of transport involves fresh air as opposed to confinement, it seems plausible. In the bustling city, which was once most concerned to use the fastest mode of transport, people are now hesitant to use the subway. “It just really seems like a hotbed for the virus,” said Megan Scruggs, 25, who lives in the Upper East side of Manhattan, describing the subway as “people packed in each car like sardines.”
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has gone to great lengths to service the public during the pandemic. The Authority is still frequent deep cleaning its subways, and despite the cost, has increased service to help commuters social distance. Still, the MTA has a long way to go post-Coronavirus to regain the confidence of New Yorkers.
As reported by the NY Times, Commuters are taking longer routes, paying more, and facing more inconvenience just to avoid traveling underground. Especially when travelling between boroughs, commuters avoiding the subway, usually need to switch modes of transportation at least once to reach their final destination. “I tried Revel for the first time during the pandemic,” Ms. Scruggs said, describing the electric moped version of a Citi Bike. “It was a lot of fun and supercool to see the city that way. In a car you’re normally on your phone, or underground on the subway.” Still, as mopeds are not allowed in tunnels or on bridges, in a rare trip to Brooklyn she had to park downtown in Alphabet City, walk over a mile to South Street Seaport, and take the NYC Ferry, sitting upstairs in the outdoors.
Dr. Tony Voong, a dentist, has also been using Citi Bike to commute from his home in Hell’s Kitchen to his second practice in Chinatown, two times a week. “I haven’t taken the subway since March 23,” said Dr. Voong, 29. “I interact with patients, so I figure I should take care of myself and put myself in situations that would prevent getting Covid the most.” He adds that he doesn’t foresee himself switching back to the subway anytime soon. “I think I’ve become so accustomed to not riding the subway it’s become my way of life,” said Dr. Voong.
In contrast, there are some New Yorkers who still support public transit. Maria Andrade,50, has been riding the 4, 5, 6 and 7 subway lines throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. “I’ve never seen the subway cars this clean in my life,” says Ms. Andrade. “The subway is closed for deep cleaning overnight and obviously since ridership is not at its peak there is less garbage left behind.”
