Staff shortages

As the Omicron strain continues to spread rapidly across New York City, an increase in COVID-19 cases among city transit workers is disrupting underground, bus and ferry service.

The MTA announced its plans to cut services, calling the decision a "proactive step" to ensure sufficient staffing and avoid trip cancellations.

On Monday, the shortage of work crews led to delays on several metro lines, including B, C, F and M. Dozens of city bus routes were also affected.

In a radio interview, MTA Acting Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber admitted that the number of COVID-19 cases among transport workers had increased "dramatically", but he also downplayed the impact of the service cuts on ordinary New Yorkers.

The situation is also due to the fact that the MTA is struggling with a shortage of workers because of a hiring freeze that was imposed at the beginning of the pandemic to cut costs. This "freeze" was lifted earlier this year and the agency has struggled to increase its staff.

Unlike city and private employees, MTA workers do not currently require mandatory vaccinations. Governor Kathy Hochul said she has no plans to change this policy, under which unvaccinated workers must be tested regularly.

"We don't want the New York workforce to be deprived of the proper transportation channels that they are used to," said Kathy Hochul.