Running the Tracks: Faces of the MTA

New York’s transit network carries millions of passengers daily, a task that relies on its operators

AURELIEN CLAVAUD

A train operator motions a peace sign to the camera after dropping the window and says “Have a good day now” as his train leaves.

By MARYAM BESHARA and AURELIEN CLAVAUD
November 17, 2022

The New York City subway system is used by New Yorkers and tourists alike, serving as a vital function of many people’s daily mode of transport. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the subway maintained a ridership of approximately 2.4 million daily passengers in 2021. On Sept. 21, the subway system transported 3.8 million people, due to the convergence of riders using the MTA for school, work, concerts, games and other special events across New York City, surpassing the MTA’s previous record of 3.7 million riders on Sept. 20. These are the highest ridership numbers since March 2020 as the city continues to recover from the pandemic. 

The transit lines offer 28 rail services that run through the city’s five boroughs. The subway holds the stories of passersby as they set out on their daily commute, as well as tourists who visit the city. These accounts also include those of the employees of New York City Transit (NYCT), a subsidiary of the MTA that employs the New Yorkers who transport millions throughout the city. 

We intended to accurately represent the faces of the transit employees in an effort to bring attention to their work and lives. Working our way down from the 72nd Street station to the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station, we captured the workers of the 1, 2 and 3 lines.

An NYCT operator checks the platform before the train departs from the 72nd Street Station. (AURELIEN CLAVAUD)

72nd Street

Looking up at the schedule of the 72nd Street station, we eagerly awaited the arrival of the downtown 2 train. As the train came to a stop, the operator smiled and posed for a photo. Despite working a demanding job, the operator was cheery and waved goodbye as the train pulled out of the station.

Train cabin crews consist of a driver at the front of the train and an operator in the middle of the train. (AURELIEN CLAVAUD)

A few more trains passed on either side of the platform. Passengers came and went, but the station wasn’t too lively. Eventually, a downtown 1 train crept to a halt before us, and the window to the operator’s cabin came down.

“I hope you’re making me look good,” the operator said.

66th Street – Lincoln Center

The Lincoln Center station was not crowded, but a few passengers wandered up and down the platform awaiting the trains which weren’t operating as frequently at 9 p.m. Other than an express 3 train passing through the station every few minutes, the station was quiet.

Passengers at the 66th Street Lincoln Center station stick close to the wall as they wait for their train to arrive. (AURELIEN CLAVAUD)

Before hopping on the downtown train, we took a last-minute photo of an operator who pulled down their window and posed with a peace sign. 

59th Street – Columbus Circle

We took the 1 train downtown to Columbus Circle with the same operator who had posed for us. After exiting the train, we turned to unexpectedly see the operator look at us, smile and wave. 

“Have a good day now,” they said with a nod.

An NYCT employee watches passengers board the downtown 1 train and monitors the flow of traffic on the platform. (AURELIEN CLAVAUD)

As we made our way toward the exit, we decided to capture one last image of a train operator. Running to the front of the uptown 1 train, we saw the driver turn to our lens and flash a wide smile. 

The NYCT subway operators offer a window into the efforts of the individuals who are  responsible for facilitating the smooth transportations of millions of riders across NYC’s boroughs throughout the day. We sought to capture the diverse workers of New York’s MTA, the largest and most developed public transit system in the United States.