Riders win more service in the state budget!

On Thursday, Governor Hochul announced that this year's state budget will include funding for more frequent off-peak, evening, and weekend subway service and more than a billion dollars in new, sustainable funding to keep MTA running.

The budget represents an historic win for millions of transit riders who are tired of long waits and deserve better. For the first time in recent history, our leaders in Albany invested in expanding service rather than the “shared sacrifice” that equals longer waits. They found new recurring revenue for public transit rather than imposing budget cuts. This victory belongs to the growing power of riders and our movement — we proved that riders have the power to win together.

Thank you to our elected champions and our powerful coalition of immigrant rights organizations, social justice organizers, disability justice advocates, labor unions, and business leaders who fought alongside us.

While there’s still so much more work needed to win the transit system we deserve — especially for bus riders — let’s take a moment to celebrate this incredible victory and the many people and moments that made this campaign!

Summer of Rider Organizing

Last summer, we talked to over 5,000 riders to hear what they want from their transit system. The answer? More frequent service!

#6MinuteService Campaign Launches!

Riders rallied together outside Barclays Center station last September to officially launch the campaign for #6MinuteService.

Hochul's Horrifying Headways Contest

In October, we held a Horrifying Headways contest to see who had the longest bus or subway wait. The honors went to Alex Wang, clocking a 49-minute wait for the Q47. Sheesh!

Coalition Rally for #6MinuteService

In November, we rallied in Battery Park with a growing coalition of allies and elected leaders from the NYC Council, State Assembly, and Senate.

Governor Hochul's Waiting Room

In December, riders constructed Hochul’s Waiting Room inside Essex Station where riders did what we do best… wait!

Bronx Outreach Day

In January, we held a press conference and talked to bus riders at Gun Hill Road with member leaders Alfred Lynch and Norma Ginez.

Queens Bus Ridealong

In January, we rode the Q111 bus with Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson from Jamaica to Far Rockaway to speak with riders about the need for #6MinuteService

Albany Lobby Day

We held our first in-person Albany Lobby Day in years with the #FixtheMTA coalition! Our coalition brought two bus loads of transit riders with us to rally at the State Capitol for #6MinuteService and funding to #FixtheMTA.

Transit riders and workers rally at Grand Central

February’s rally with TWU Local 100 marked a very special moment for the campaign — when #6MinuteService gained the support of the transit workers that keep NYC moving!

Elhmust Outreach with Senator Jessica Ramos

In February, we talked to bus riders in Elmhurst, Queens with Senator Jessica Ramos.

Subway Sprint!

In February, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, raced our own Betsy Plum to the top of Smith-9th Street Station to call for more frequent service!

Caucus Weekend

In February, ten member leaders spent the weekend in Albany to speak with elected officials about #6MinuteService.

NYC Council Calls for #6MinuteService

Council Member Amanda Farías rallied with other transit champions — and NYCT President Rich Davey!— in support of her resolution calling for #6MinuteService.

Brownsville Outreach Day

In March, we joined Assemblymember Latrice Walker to talk to bus riders in Brownsville about their challenges with infrequent service.

Utica Ave Rally for #6MinuteService

We joined PCAC, Straphangers Campaign, Reinvent Albany and elected champions Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani to rally at Utica Avenue.

Riders paint Union Square

In April, riders took over Union Square with a 50-foot banner reading NYC NEEDS #6MINUTESERVICE, which they adorned with all the reasons we need Governor Hochul to fund more frequent bus and subway service.