New App Aims To Curb Subway Crime and Safety Fears
In January, Governor Hochul announced a $154 million plan to add more police officers in subway stations to ease commuter fears following recent subway attacks.
The plan is a partnership between New York State and the City of New York to both equally contribute financially to the deployment of two NYPD officers per subway train between the hours of 9:00 PM through 5:00 AM.
The additional safety measures come after recent slashings, beatings, and shovings onto train tracks have some New Yorkers afraid to take the train. “I think the answer is less policing and more focusing on the root issues of why some people feel the need to make others feel unsafe in the subway,” said Christian Ramos, a student at NYU and a concerned subway rider.
Transit advocacy group, Passengers United, is developing an app named Rider, with hopes to deter subway crime and promote safety.
App users will be able to “report subway safety concerns in real time” and “alert subway riders about conditions up and down the line,” said Passengers United President, Charlton D’Souza. He adds that “during emergency service disruptions riders will be able to report that in real time.”
While working out of NYU computer labs, three college students are behind the building of the app. “The MTA gets you from point A to point B, but our app is like, how can you get there safely?” said Maheen Rassell, a sophomore at NYU and one of the app developers.
Users will also be able to report unsafe conditions in an area or station. If reports reach a certain number, nearby app users will receive a caution alert straight to their phones. “It would make me feel a lot safer as a commuter,” said Ramos.
Aiming to make it commuter essential, Rider will be free and set to be on app stores this summer.
Isabella Morales is a City Newsroom reporter covering transportation. Born and raised in Miami, she speaks Spanish as well.