Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday she is deploying 250 additional National Guard members to help support the city’s subway system.
The governor initially deployed 750 National Guard members, and a combined 250 New York State Police and MTA Police personnel, into the system in March to help with NYPD bag checks.
Hochul noted during Wednesday's press conference that the city is expected to see 7.5 million to 8 million more visitors during the holiday season.
“I’ll be clear: this is not in response to a specific crime. We’re not seeing a trend that’s alarming. But it’s about continuing a strategy that has proven its success and expanding it to protect even more people,” Hochul said at an MTA news conference.
Hochul, alongside MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, also announced that 100% of all subway cars now have cameras — completing a plan that started in 2022.
Last Thursday, the MTA says the transit system hit its highest ridership since before the pandemic, at 4.5 million riders.