Instead of opting for a $2.90 subway ticket, Kiara Stewart is willing to pay more for an Uber or Lyft.

The ride-booking services give her peace of mind.

“One of the pluses is because those seem to be safe these days,” Stewart said.

What You Need To Know

  • Many city residents fear for their safety when taking the subway
  • Felony assaults are up 2.7% year-to-date when compared to the same time period last year
  • Despite the rise in felony assaults, major felonies are down 5% year-to-date when compared to last year

A 30-year-old woman was critically injured last week when she was pushed into the side of a moving train and fell onto the tracks at a Manhattan subway station.

“This is our only way to get around that’s affordable, and for it to be scary to step into the subway, that’s terrifying, and that’s really sad,” Stewart said.

Recent crime data released by the NYPD and the MTA does not make Stewart feel any better.

The data shows an increase in the number of felony assaults.

In September, the year-to-date totals for these subway crimes surpassed last year’s totals for the first time in 2023.

“We certainly realize that we have a lot of work to do,” NYPD Chief of Transportation Michael Kemper said.

Kemper explained some of the numbers during a meeting Monday.

The numbers show felony assaults are up 2.7% overall from January to September when compared to that period last year.

They rose 21.6% last month when compared to September of last year.

But Kemper said arrests are also up.

“Arrests are up to date 57.4%. Tab summons are up year-to-date 55%, including a 52% increase in fare evasion tab summons,” Kemper said.

Despite the rise in felony assaults, major felonies are down 5% year-to-date when compared to last year. Kemper said that is due to a decrease in robberies and grand larcenies.

Major felonies are also down roughly 12.5% when this September is compared to last September.

And shovings are down roughly 30% this year.

People below ground said they would like to see officers more visibly to make them feel comfortable.

“It’s not good. They should put more police around. I use to see a lot, but now very less,” Alexander Zetos said.

As for Stewart, when she does go back underground, she said she will be exercising more caution.

“Be vigilant. Move away from the edge and just keep an eye out,” Stewart said.