By Philip Newman
Nearly 6 million straphangers jam New York City’s subways daily, and MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast says his agency may increase the number of subway platform conductors to remedy the situation.
Prendergast told the MTA’s board meeting Wednesday much of the problem was that straphangers are “afflicted” with impatience trying to board trains before arriving passengers can get off.
Prendergast said the MTA may have to put some workers on overtime to ease the platform jams, which, in turn, are making trains late.
As to the impatience of subway patrons, Prendergast said, “that’s just the nature of New Yorkers.”
Subway delays are up by 51 percent on weekdays and 40 percent on weekends this year.
The number of on-time trains are down to 74 percent from 81 percent last year.
Subway passenger totals are the highest in more than 60 years.
Prendergast spoke following the board meeting at which the transit agency approved an average 4 percent raise in fares and tolls to become effective in March.
