• Ridership on New York City public transit systems has fallen dramatically as the coronavirus forced businesses, schools, and restaurants to shutter. 
• Facing a steep revenue cliff, the agency that runs subways, trains, and buses is asking for $4 billion in federal funding. 
• The subway has finally found steady improvement after decades of neglect, all of which could soon be lost, leaders warned. 
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New York City’s public transportation system has seen decimated ridership as businesses shutter and schools close to stop the spread of the coronavirus, leading officials to request nearly $4 billion in assistance from the federal government.

The Metropolitan Transportation Agency — a state office which runs trains and buses and controls some bridges and tunnels — said in a plea to federal officials that subway ridership has sank 60% from usual ridership levels, while passenger counts on its two commuter railroads are down 90% and 60%. On city buses, ridership is down 49%, the MTA said.

“As a result, MTA revenue has plummeted as we provide these essential services,” Patrick Foye, the agency’s chairman and CEO, said in the letter. “We project the full impact will be over $4 billion by the end …continued .
[Source: Business Insider]