MTA to Install Two Security Cameras Per Subway Car by 2025

By Yehudit Garmaise

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will soon be installing two new cameras in every subway car in its fleet for increased security coverage and to increase passenger confidence in mass transit safety, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this morning at a press conference at the Corona Maintenance Facility in Queens.

In total, the MTA will install 5,400 new security cameras on 2,700 NYC Transit cars,  thanks to a $2 million award from the Urban Areas Security Initiative.

The $2 million grant will also fund 3,800 cameras in 130 of the 472 subway stations cityside.

Ultimately, $6 million will be available for the project to equip a total of 6,455 subway cars with the new cameras that are already in 200 train cars, the governor said.

"My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe," Gov. Hochul said. "I am proud that we will be installing cameras on all Subway cars - expanding our security capabilities, deterring crime, and providing our law enforcement with support. As we continue welcoming riders back to the transit system, we will continue doing everything in our power to keep riders safe." 

At 8:30 am on April 12, Frank James, Jr. unleashed a smoke bomb on a northbound N train before opening fire in a crowding subway car. Officials said they recorded dozens of images of the terrorist.

However, when several key cameras were found to not be working that spring day, the NYC residents clamored for functioning security cameras in all subway cars and stations.

“We are going to have images in every subway car and in every station, and you can be sure we are going to catch the bad guys,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “If you prey on New Yorkers, we’re gonna have pictures of you.”

Although many New Yorkers remain watchful and wary after several violent incidents on the rails this year, officials said subway crimes have modestly decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

Transit crimes have fallen by 4.5% compared to 2019 data, said the governor, who added, “As ridership increases, crimes decrease.”