New York City's subways and buses carried 12 million more people this January than last January reported the New York Times. Most of the new trips took place on weekends when bus use increased by 30% and subway use by 9%. The jump in ridership is attributed to the 10% discount offered to riders who buy $15 or more plus the lure of free transfers for MetroCard users.

In order to cope with the increase, NYCT promised to add buses on 46 routes. Yet, according to a report released by the Straphangers Campaign in January 1998, 155 routes were cut or eliminated between 1986 and 1997. In total, 23% of all bus service was eliminated over the past decade. Thus, despite the promised service increase, most riders can expect long waits and crowded service.

In related news, NYPD reported that the number of most serious crimes decreased in January and February as compared to the same period in 1997. Combined with the increase in ridership, the drop in crimes means that the rate of crime per passenger served decreased sharply.