Traffic & Transit

No. 2 Train Lives Up To Its Filthy Name, Report Says

Incidents of subway cars soiled with blood, feces, garbage and vomit rose this year as riders returned to trains, the Daily News reported.

People ride a New York City subway on April 13. The No. 4 train had at least 67 reported of "soiled cars" between January and May, the New York Daily News reported.
People ride a New York City subway on April 13. The No. 4 train had at least 67 reported of "soiled cars" between January and May, the New York Daily News reported. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY — Subway cars soiled with blood, feces, garbage and vomit became more common as riders returned from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report.

MTA's number lines — specifically the 2, 4 and 6 — drew the most reports of "soiled cars" between January and May, the New York Daily News reported.

An MTA spokesperson told the Daily New many of those incidents involved people experiencing homelessness.

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“They’re unsanitary for our customers and deeply unfair and disturbing for transit cleaners,” the spokesperson said, according to the Daily News. “They’re also a reminder of the need for more mental health outreach and social service support in the city and throughout the system.”

An increase in unclean subway cars isn't necessarily a surprise.

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The subway only recently returned to 24/7 operations and ridership has grown as the pandemic winds down.

But freshly cleaned subway cars became a defining feature of the pandemic-era subway — and on Gov. Andrew Cuomo himself has repeatedly stressed should continue.

A Daily News reporter obtained "soiled cars" incident reports and found they increased 27 percent from January to May compared to the same span last year.

At least 67 reports centered around No. 4 trains that had “soiled cars,” followed by 66 reports for the No. 4 and 57 for the No. 2, according to the Daily News.

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