NYC subways celebrated their 1-billionth rider of 2025 earlier than in any previous year, signaling a remarkable rebound in ridership and growing confidence in New York’s public transport system.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

NYC Subways Celebrate Early 1-Billion-Rider Milestone in 2025
Zayd Nubani of Greenpoint, right, became the 1 billionth subway rider in NYC in 2025.
Screenshot of MTA YouTube channel

NYC Subways Mark Historic Ridership Growth

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that Brooklyn surfer Zayd Nubani became the 1-billionth passenger when he entered Lafayette Avenue Station on the C line on October 14.

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He was heading to the Rockaways when MTA staff surprised him with confetti, music, and a celebratory package that included mugs, shirts, a hat, and a $100 MetroCard.

Nubani said he was stunned but delighted. “I was planning to surf the nor’easter today and didn’t expect this,” he said. “I’m super happy to be the billionth. MTA, you’re awesome.”

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber described the milestone as a major sign of the city’s comeback. “That’s a billion with a ‘B,’ folks,” he told the crowd. “Every year, we’re reaching this milestone earlier, which means New Yorkers are riding again.”

NYC Subways Drive Recovery and Better Service

The MTA first surpassed 1 billion annual riders again in December 2022, after the pandemic slump. In 2023 and 2024, the mark came in November. Now, in 2025, hitting it in mid-October shows that service and demand are rising.

Lieber credited the agency’s focus on reliability. “Last month, we achieved 85% on-time performance — our best in over a decade,” he said. Before 2020, on-time rates hovered around 60–70%.

He also thanked Governor Kathy Hochul and lawmakers for funding more frequent trains and modernizing infrastructure. Because safety remains crucial, Lieber added that transit crime has dropped more than 12% compared to pre-COVID levels. “We’ll keep working with the NYPD so crime keeps going down,” he said.

The celebration in Brooklyn wasn’t just about one rider — it marked New York’s renewed momentum. Clean stations, faster trains, and better service quality are helping the city move forward again.

Source: www.amny.com

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What does the 1-billionth rider milestone mean for NYC subways?

It shows that NYC subways have regained strong ridership, reflecting the city’s post-pandemic recovery and improved public confidence in transit.

How did NYC subways reach the 1-billionth rider milestone earlier this year?

The MTA improved reliability, increased service frequency, and enhanced safety measures, encouraging more people to ride.

Who was the 1-billionth rider in 2025?

Brooklyn resident and surfer Zayd Nubani became the 1-billionth passenger at Lafayette Avenue Station on October 14.

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