By Michael V. Cusenza
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has installed protective platform edge barriers at just six Queens subway stations.
This was revealed on Friday, when Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA leadership touted the installation of barriers at 56 total subway stations in the city during the first six months of 2025. There are over 400 stations across Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan.
In The World’s Borough, barriers have been installed at:
- Woodhaven Blvd (M, R)
- Jamaica Center-Parsons Blvd-Archer Av (E, J, Z)
- Flushing-Main St (7)
- 46 St (M, R)
- 67 Av (M, R)
- 75 Av (E, F)
The authority noted that the selection of stations to receive barriers prioritizes feasibility, including stations with standard car-stopping positions in segments of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M, and L trains. Among these train lines, stations with higher ridership levels and island platforms are prioritized.
Recent customer surveys have shown that 59 percent of riders wanted the installation of protective platform barriers throughout the system — including 88 percent of riders over the age of 65. A majority of respondents have also noted that they believe the presence of platform barriers in the station makes them feel safer and believe the barriers will protect against falls onto the tracks. Platform barriers are built and installed using in-house New York City Transit labor with in-house machinery in a NYCT facility, resulting in lower costs and a faster installation timeline.
“New Yorkers’ safety will always be my number one priority, and customers need to both feel and be secure every time they ride the subway,” Hochul said. “At my direction, the MTA has ramped up the installation of protective platform barriers, building on their efforts to brighten stations with LED lighting and equip every subway car with security cameras.”
Hochul and the MTA also trumpeted the installation of light-emitting diode bulbs in 342 stations, on schedule for all 472 subway stations to be upgraded by the end of the year. According to the MTA, LED bulbs are brighter and safer.
Hochul noted that subway crime is down this year 3 percent from the same period last year and by almost 10 percent when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we’re making investments to ensure that our system not only is safe but — equally important — feels safe to riders. With new platform barriers, MTA’s thousands of new security cameras, increased deployments from the NYPD, and 10 percent less crime before COVID, it’s no wonder customer satisfaction has risen dramatically this year.”
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow added, “Customers are telling us platform barriers make them feel safer and they want to see more of them. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s support, we’re getting barriers into stations quickly with more than 50 already installed and over 50 more on the way by the end of the year. I’m proud of the NYC Transit team for the incredible work they’re doing in-house to build and install barriers and look forward to keeping up the momentum.”
