Classes Accelerate Front Line Workforce Regrowth Following Pandemic-Induced Hiring Freeze
New Class Joins Hundreds of Train Conductors, Train Operators and Bus Operators Who Completed Training in 2021 and 2022
View Photos of Graduation Ceremony
MTA New York City Transit today celebrated the graduation of 20 new train conductors following their successful completion of training at the New York City Transit Learning Center in Brooklyn.
These conductors will help New York City Transit tackle crew shortage challenges and bolster the frequency of subway service. This marked the formal end of intensive training that began in May 2022. The graduation took place as New York City Transit Subway ridership hovers around 60% of pre-pandemic levels.
“Every graduation day is a special day for New York City Transit and a win for subway riders,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “This class joins a great group that has kept the city moving for the past two and a half years and will help keep the subway’s recovery on track.”
“Building up the workforce remains a top initiative to provide better subway service for New Yorkers,” said New York City Transit Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “We are excited to welcome these new conductors to the New York City Transit team and can’t wait to see them out in the system.”
Since February 2021, 451 conductors have joined New York City Transit.
The new employees join the 953 bus operators and 784 train operators and conductors who recently completed their training — part of a deliberate effort by the MTA to rapidly grow the number of bus operators, subway train operators and conductors. A hiring freeze, necessitated by a fiscal crisis that developed during the pandemic, depleted the ranks of train operators and conductors with many veteran workers retiring or leaving their frontline posts. Along with improved recruiting efforts and speeding up training for new employees, the MTA addressed the staff shortage by bringing back recently retired train operators, scheduling additional overtime and buying back vacation time.