Only three percent of subway tracks in 276 underground stations are cleaned to the MTA's own standards, which is at least once every three weeks. That's one finding in an audit released today by City Comptroller Scott Stringer's office. The report also finds 88 percent of stations are cleaned fewer than eight times a year, which potentially exposes millions of commuters to track fires, train delays and rat infestation in hundreds of stations. Auditors made several recommendations to the MTA, including allocating more funds and employees to improve cleanliness and buying more effective vacuum trains. For its part, the MTA says budgeted resources for station cleanliness have already increased 25 percent (from $111 million in 2008 to $139 million in 2014) and a $32 million contract for new vacuum trains was approved in March. What do you say? How dirty is your subway line? Which platform or station needs to be cleaned? Are you surprised to learn 88 percent of stations are cleaned fewer than eight times a year? How much of this problem is a result of discourteous straphangers? Would you welcome a ban on eating and drinking on subways?
Jenni's Thoughts:
I believe that it really is the responsible of bother MTA and straphangers to keep our system clean. Whether it's making sure that the cleaning employees are doing their diligently to making sure there are more trash cans, to encouraging the riding public to be courteous and not litter. Personally, I strongly believe people should refrain from eating or drinking other than water on the train. I've been to countries where eating and drinkins is actually prohibited and their transit system is sparkling clean. I know some people say that the grime of the City is what makes it unique and classic, but it's time to take some action and clean this City.
Your E-mails:
I ride the 6 hross filthy and crowded always The 1 and the C trains better but not great. But the garbage isnt half as bad as the phone usage since cell Phones work in some of the stations People dont Shut up !
No one wants to hear you tell your assistant what to get started on, or how much your insurance on your cars have gone up, or that awful date you had Just stop you arent at home Nobody wants to hear it.
Jim
Upper West Side
RATS! FLEAS! AND DISEASE IS NOT QUITE LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS OH MY. RUNS A CLOSE SECOND THOUGH. THIS AUDIT IS THE REFLECTION OF REDUCING THE WORKFORCE AND ITS END RESULTS. REMOVE TRASH CANS AND GARBAGE WILL FIND ITS WAY TO THE TRACK BED PRESENTING A RECIPE FOR FIRES AND RODENTS, YOU WILL BE PAYING MORE IN THE LONG RUN. RESTORE THE WORKFORCE TO WHAT IS REQUIRED.
JOE
BAY TERRACE
We must agree that we can use an improvement in Subway cleaning. Consider two questions...Who will pay for the additional cleaning? Are we willing to be inconvenienced to allow for the additional cleaning?
Anonymous
There should be a ban on eating or drinking on Public Transportation because some people leave their garbage on the seat when they leave the train or bus, some people have no manners in this city. I think it's a lack of home training on their part. The MTA workers always clean the trains and buses before they leave each terminal and when they reach the last stop it's dirty all over again.
Herman
Upper West Side
This has been a long on going problem for years and years that I can remember. They are filthy dirty and it's about time that someone takes the bull by the horns and just get busy with concentrating on improving our quality of every day life.The quality of life in my borough alone is just awful. I noticed on news 12 yesterday they had a story posted on the computer about a fire engine that fell in a hole that was never filled. The problem also with the pot holes is that the mixture itself is not good for the job. As soon as it gets wet it starts sinking. Getting back to the subway stations. What happened to the car cleaners and station cleaners? Or more like it what happen?
Thank you John,
Maxxiee
MP
While I ride the subway less than when I moved to NYC, I don't think the stations are much different. Where I see trash on the platforms is where.
stupidly, the trash cans have been removed or the trash not connected frequently enough. I also don't see as many rats as in previous years. And, I don't see as many people eating as in previous years. Maybe because there so many people that you can't eat your pizza with a fork.
Joe
Port Richmond
I have been waiting for this topic to appear on NY1. The so called "Capital of the World" has been,for too long, a vermin infested city. As a City, It is both embarassing and unhealthy to have subway tracks filled with garbage and the rats who thrive on it. Those who claim rats and garbage contribute charm to a city are also part of the problem. If you are so busy that you need to have lunch on a NYC train, you need to re-assess your life. Food should not be allowed on the subways. I saw a woman wipe a subway seat clean with a napkin before sitting then dump that very napkin along with her fast food remains under her seat. People should be fined for eating on the subway. Only drinks should be allowed. Rats are running all over my station in Jackson Heights. We deserve a cleaner city especially a recent fare increase. I've travelled all over the world. This is, by far, the filthiest subway in the world! The mayor and city council need to address this ever-growing problem.
Genncis Rosado
Jackson Heights
Our subway system is one of the dirtiest in the world. There is not single city in any other country other I have visited where I have seen so much trash and vermon inside and outside of the subway stations as in NYC.
Daniel
Rego Park
The MTA removed a large number of trash cans from the subway stations over the past couple of years. People don't want to carry their trash around so it ends up on the floor and the tracks. Bring the trash cans back.
Mike
Upper West Side
no other subway system I've ridden is so filthy.
Peter
Ban the food! I've seen folks eat food and throw the remains right on the train floor. Make them wrap it up for the ride. ISeeBothSides
Anonymous
The city needs to ban food in the subway. No amount of cleaning will prevent the littering that occurs in the subway. I’m tired of the rats in the train stations. The residents of this city need to stop expecting to be cleaned up after they litter and place their garbage in the receptacles that are provided.
Collette
Put people who are collecting unemployment, welfare and other forms of free public assistance to work. Many of them are collecting illegally.
Linda
Imagine if we were civilized and didn't throw our trash on the sidewalks, the streets, the highways and our parks! People who litter are pigs! Stop throwing your trash on the ground and the tracks people! Imagine the money we and the MTA could save if people actually acted civilized and put their trash in the garbage can!!
Joan
Forest Hills
I am of the opinion that the cleanliness and maintenance of the train tracks is a multilateral responsibility that should be shared by operators and users of the facilities.
While the MTA is held accountable for not doing their part, commuters littering the tracks should also be made to pay for their nonchalant attitude.
Akeem
The MTA should BANNED FOOD AND DRINK FROM SUBWAY STATIONS because the more time spend cleaning these stations, the more dirty and filthy people get. The PATH train has banned food and drink from their stations years ago, and are much more cleaner today. The MTA Police should issue fines to litter bugs too! It would also be nice if the MTA had pictures and video of people littering their stations, and place them on their website so we get to see the people who are making our subway stations dirty.
Kevin
Clifton
A ban on eating and drinking in the subway will not solve anything. The pigs throw their garbage around now are the least likely to actually comply with a ban on eating and drinking. They clearly do not care now what people think, why would they care about a ban? I myself am "guilty" of eating and drinking on the subway in the morning, mostly, and in 17 years of living here, I have not spilled a single drink and I have not thrown any garbage anywhere. It is not a problem that people are eating and drinking. The problem is the bad attitude about it and the entitlement thinking that has become so pervasive . Somebody will take it up, right?
Cheryl
The MTA needs to ban eating on the subways (and buses). It has been done in Washington DC and their subway system is much cleaner than ours. People have gone overboard----take out buffet lunches and eating on the train. They have said it couldn't be enforced---nonsense---sporadic enforcement would cut it to almost zero. Would drastically cut rats and litter. Off the topic but since the fare increase, more fare beaters at every station----almost feel like a sucker for paying!
Henry
Riverdale
This whole thing can be solved simply- They need to bring back trash cans in the train stations. If we look at subway systems in Washington DC and even out in California, which many say are cleaner and more efficient, you'll see they use trash and recycling recepticles. The fact that we dont have them at every station in our city- the largest city in the country- the most populous city in the country- baffles my mind. The logic to remove them- in theory was good- but the reality is, no ones gonna take their trash out with them.
Brendan
Riverdale
It makes no sense whatsoever to remove the trashcans. Most people from my perspecive , evreywone throws there garbage on the platform, and the department of transit knows that. They have to bring the trash cans back. When I go to other states I see perfectly clean stations. #weneedtomakeachange The only thing I wonder is that is if the transit has the money to pay to clean the subway.
Antonio
I have been noticing that the trains have been dirtier and their is more homeless people on the train and the train stations. I know the revenue they bring in is over 10 billion dollars, so why can't the stations and trains be cleaned appropriately. I don't think food and drinks should be banned, individuals should start getting tickets and that may reduce the littering on the trains. We should be courteous to one another while riding the trains. They are asking for an increase which is not fair and they should start using the money appropriately... and I don't mean pockets!
Angel
People should have more manners. This is their subway line. It's unacceptable and they are too grown for that behavior. New Yorkers show some pride and respect.
Anonymous
the blame goes to the people who throw their food, coffee cups, newspapers,etc. on the tracks , on the subway floor cars, subway stairwells. Even when there were more trash cans people hardly used them if it was more than two feet away. Ban food and drink- pity the poor police officer assigned to enforce those rules. come on people carry your own trash, the mta is not maid service.
A of NYC
Why does the Church Avenue station of the F line have filthy, grimy walls? It's sad to return after 30 years to find that the station has deteriorated so much!
Eileen
Marine Park
I haven't rode the train in years but this is not just an MTA problem this is everyone's problem you do what you do at home.
Mr.Busby
I personally don't eat on the train station because in my culture it's No No to eat in outside, the streets, subways etc. They shouldn't ban food on the subway because some people do need to eat at a certain time for health reasons.
Deborah
Ditmas Park
When speaking about subway cleanliness, I'm more concerned about the things we can't see.
In the beginning of 2015 Dr. Mason and his team of scientist of Weil Cornel Medical College conducted a study of microorganisms throughout the NYC subway system which yielded surprising results- 31% of the bacteria found could affect immuno-compromised people and 28% resistant to standard antibiotics.
I regularly ride the F line and often see homeless sleeping on the seats, and wonder if the seat i'm sitting on was properly disinfected by train cleaners or if there are bed-bugs or roaches crawling around... Maybe when confronting the issue of train cleanliness we should attack the smaller problems first, like the broken windows system... Remember, it was the tiny rat fleas which caused the bubonic plague which killed 200 million people.
- time to leave this city!
Chris
Great program as usual. Some other cities offer their local prisoner population the chance to get out of their facilities for a few hours and clean roadsides during that time.
Why can't the MTA and correctional officials offer a similar, voluntary program for non violent offenders at Riker's Island who would like demonstrate good behavior by helping clean litter from the subway track beds between rails?
Kelly
Astoria
I don't think most people want to eat on the subway. If you're rushed, if your trip is over an hour, if there are delays, sometimes it's the only option. Cleaning a station 8 times a year will lead to filth no matter how many tickets get issued. We won't make the situation better by penalizing people for living their lives because authorities can't do their jobs.
Jordan
Flushing
"Wheels&Squeals"
Dedicated cars for wheels (bikes, luggage, children in strollers). Eating, blocking subway doorways by people and/or possessions are inappropriate and should be ticketed. MTA workers/NYPD walking cars and platforms.
Shatzi
Manhattan
The NYC subways are on par with the sewers of Calcutta. As a retiree in the city I get to see many lines and so far believe the E Lexington 53 St station ranks up there with the WORST. Look at what all businesses around you do....every night they PAY a crew to clean only one day's accumulation. The MTA should do the same instead of blaming those who pay their salaries. But that's the lesser problem. Look at the infrastructure...the brown stained walls, the crumbling ceilings, the visible neglect that surrounds you!
Peggy
Why don't we have Mayor Giuliani take over the MTA? He knows how to clean up...................
Christine
Upper East Side
I take the G daily In Brooklyn, (hoyt schermerhorn) Located with the A and C; People are quick to blame the city and about how they don't clean enough but how about we blame the people (US), everyone's some what guilty of placing trash where it is not supposed to be. Most people make the effort to throw trash where it belongs. Lets blame the PEOPLE who find it so hard to hold on to their trash until they see a garbage can. How hard can it be to just wait to throw something out. I see trash can all the time, There is no excuse. People eat and have drinks on the trains all the time, Us as people need to stop blaming each other and pointing fingers and start working together to make this a better city.
Nicole
I'm a Supervisor in charge of cleaning the trains. I take pride in my work. I watch my employees clean and perform their duties. The garbage doesn't get there by it's self. It doesn't matter how many trash receptacles there in the station people will still throw their garbage on the platform and the tracks. I have customers tell me everyday, that if I don't throw my garbage on the floor you won't have a job. We are a 24 hours 365 day operation, you can't compare our system to any other. We move millions of people. NYC is the step child of the MTA. Metro North and Long Island Railroad is treated different.
Sabrina
We're quickly coming to the point where the only person on the train who can eat is the kid who's breastfeeding.
What about diabetics, hypoglycemics, infants, and kids? Do they get tickets too?
Jordan
Flushing
As one caller mentioned, I've also been to Asia and it's true, their subway systems are immaculate! They have so many more people than NYC and they're so much cleaner! We have no excuse. I ride the B, Q and D lines from Brooklyn to 34th Street Herald Square and the rats just run right by you, especially at night. I've been to Bangkok, Hanoi and Tokyo and you CAN literally eat off their subway platforms. We should be ashamed!
Leslie
Flatbush
Maybe put back some garbage cans… ? Just saying
Esmerelda
East Village