A Chilling Reality: On the MTA
“The bottom line? The subway system needs to prioritize public safety. Because right now, it’s not just a way to get around—it’s a gamble with your life.”
Taking the subway in New York City comes with a chilling reality: about 65 people lose their lives each year while traveling through it—that’s twice the size of a typical classroom. The subway has become infamous for unsettling crimes that make passengers question their safety. From a 57-year-old woman burned to death while sleeping in a train car, to a 45-year-old woman pushed onto the tracks as a train approached, the dangers are both real and horrifying. Recent incidents include shootings near stations and tragic accidents like teens getting injured or killed while train surfing.
It’s terrifying to think that something as routine as a commute to school could turn fatal. Despite promises of increased police presence, public transportation authorities seem to be doing the bare minimum. The question remains: How do these violent events keep slipping through their hands if they’re supposedly protecting us?
I ride the train to and from school—sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. And I can’t lie—it’s scary. There’s always this nagging thought: What if this is my last ride? Imagine your parents getting a call that you didn’t make it to school, only to later find out you were brutally harmed with no explanation. The randomness of these attacks has New Yorkers living in a state of fear. Yet, somehow, officials still claim something to the effect of: “Afraid of crime on the subway? It’s all in your head.”
Excuse me? So a woman being set on fire in a train car is just a figment of my imagination? Are the disturbing videos unreal? No, I haven’t lost my mind. The system has simply failed to protect us innocent bystanders.
But it’s not just about violence. The subway also has issues with hygiene and maintenance—homeless people sleeping on train cars, mysterious liquid leaking from ceilings, and poor sanitation in general.
During a trip to Tokyo, I rode their trains and was amazed. The experience was the complete opposite of New York’s chaos. No trash, and no leaks, and everyone followed the rules quietly and respectfully. What stood out most was the focus on safety. Barriers blocked access to tracks until trains arrived, making it impossible for anyone to jump or be pushed onto the tracks. That simple but effective feature prioritized public safety, something sorely lacking in NYC.
I even asked other students about their experiences riding the subway.
One student summed it up in two words: “It sucks.” When I asked why, they said, “There are too many weird people, it stinks, and it’s dangerous. I always feel paranoid on the tracks because I never know if someone will push me.”
Another student shared, “I don’t like it. I don’t feel comfortable with the kind of people in NYC. As a young girl, it’s scary, but I have no choice—it’s my only way to get around.”
Yet another said, “I’m neutral. I don’t feel safe, but I don’t feel threatened either. But I hate how unreliable it is with delays, often caused by subway surfing.”
When I asked how they felt hearing about tragedies on the subway, most shrugged it off as “normal.” That’s the saddest part—it shouldn’t feel normal. As a student, I shouldn’t have to wake up fearing for my safety just to get to school.
What shocked me, even more, was an alert I got while writing this: three teens had stolen a train and taken it on a joyride, with one driving at over 30 mph while another dangled out of the front door. They accessed the train with transit keys left unsecured. This highlights yet another glaring safety issue—if teens can hijack a train so easily, what’s stopping others with more dangerous intentions?
The bottom line? The subway system needs to prioritize public safety. Because right now, it’s not just a way to get around—it’s a gamble with your life.