The MTA is boosting track cleaning at Midtown subway stations ahead of the holidays due to a surge in trash removal and an uptick in track fires. Starting before Thanksgiving, 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center and other nearby stations will receive weekly track cleanings instead of the usual bi-weekly or monthly schedules.
According to MTA data, each bag of garbage collected at Rockefeller Center between October 1, 2024, and January 31 of this year weighed an average of 62.4 pounds, compared to 51.1 pounds per bag at other times of the year. The agency has noticed a significant increase in trash removal during holiday seasons, which also coincides with increased ridership.
The extra cleaning frequency aims to reduce service disruptions caused by accumulating debris on the tracks. “It’s unpleasant to see debris on the tracks,” said Bill Amarosa Jr., head of subways at New York City Transit. “But it can cause problems for fires, emergency brake activations, and affect the signal system.”
The increased focus on track cleaning comes after trash heaps littered stations in past holiday seasons. The MTA is also adding more customer service workers to help guide tourists and beefing up its efforts to keep Midtown stations clean.
While some commuters appreciate the extra attention, others acknowledge that the subway’s perpetual dirtiness is a challenge. “It’s New York, it’s always going to be dirty,” said Joel Perez, a daily commuter between Queens and Midtown.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/26/tourist-trash-trains-subway-midtown-cleaning-mta