A billion people represent one eighth of the world’s population. It’s also the number of customers we’ve served on the New York City subway so far this year. We got there last Tuesday with 11 weeks still left to go in 2025 – the shortest time yet since COVID.

Greenpoint resident Zayd Nubani was our lucky one billionth customer. We surprised him at the Lafayette Av C station with MTA swag and a $100 OMNY card while he was on his way to surf the nor’easter waves at Rockaway Beach. He said he rides the subway every day, even with his longboard.

We appreciate his patronage, and that of every New Yorker, visitor and tourist who’s helped us reach this milestone. It’s not just about bragging rights -- transit ridership is one of the best markers we have for charting New York’s comeback. When th

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