MTA Might Add Ride-Share Fleets To Late Night Service

NEW YORK CITY — The MTA is considering teaming up with ride-hailing companies to ease the commutes of late night workers, the agency announced Tuesday.

Transit officials will start pursuing plans over the next three months to improve outer-borough, late night service by connecting straphangers with lifts to and from subway stations, the MTA said.

“We are seeking to leverage new mobility technologies to enable more New Yorkers to benefit from the public transportation network during the overnight hours,” said MTA Chief Innovation Officer Mark Dowd.

"And to enhance the experience of overnight subway customers in low-cost ways.”

Specifics — such as the cost, how many commuters will benefit and which ride-share apps will participate — have yet to be decided.

The first steps will be to choose a partner company in March then launch a "Late Shift" pilot program in June, according to an MTA proposal request obtained by THE CITY.

The pilot program will focus on city transit deserts, areas at least a half mile from a subway station with limited bus service, officials said.

The decision was spurred by the growing number of New Yorkers who work in healthcare, food services and hospitality and commute outside of typical business hours, said the MTA.

“With increasing numbers of people moving away from the traditional 9-5 Manhattan-centric work schedule," Dowd said, "We want the MTA to best support New York’s continually diversifying economy.”