New York’s subway system has seen a sharp increase in violent incidents in recent years, underscoring ongoing safety challenges for both passengers and transit workers. The latest tragedy occurred last week on a Queens J train near Woodhaven Boulevard, where construction worker Mesias Lojano, 59, was fatally stabbed by a passenger described as “emotionally disturbed.” Lojano’s death marks the sixth subway-related homicide in New York City so far in 2026.
Data show a troubling rise in subway violence compared to pre-pandemic years. From 1997 to 2019, the city averaged about two transit murders annually, but from 2020 through last year, that number has climbed to an average of seven per year. Through August 2026, felony assaults on the subway increased 10% over the previous year to 435, representing an 84% surge compared to 2019 figures.
Officials and advocates attribute some of the rise to criminal justice reforms and repeated releases of offenders. The alleged assailant in Lojano’s case, identified as Jyrell Thomas, had been arrested weeks earlier for theft-related charges but was released. Petty theft is often linked to underlying mental health issues, complicating efforts to prevent escalation.
Subway employees have also been frequent victims of violence. Through July, 42 assaults on transit workers were reported, up from 37 in the same period last year and dramatically higher than the 16 assaults documented in early 2019. The heightened risk has affected workers’ ability to perform safety-critical duties effectively.
A notable incident last Monday in Brooklyn’s Utica Avenue station resulted in the death of a passenger, 57-year-old Yaw Boahene, who was reportedly dragged along the platform after attempting to exit an A train. Preliminary reports suggest that Boahene, who appeared to have a disability, might have been caught on an object he was carrying, pulling him under the train as it departed. It has been reported that the conductor did not extend visibility checks out of concern for personal safety, following past assaults on conductors during such safety procedures.
These recent events have sparked calls for operational changes within the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Some experts propose revising union work rules to better protect employees while leveraging advancements in technology. New automated systems, including comprehensive camera coverage on platforms and inside cars, could enhance passenger monitoring and reduce direct exposure of conductors to potential threats. Under this model, conductors would focus on remotely overseeing onboard behavior, while security personnel could be dispatched to address disruptive or dangerous incidents at stations.
The federal National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating both the Utica Avenue passenger death and a September 3 incident in the Bronx, when subway worker Moet McCullum was fatally struck by a train while performing track-related duties. The NTSB’s involvement may prompt recommendations toward increased use of technology, such as automated track inspections and defect detection, which are already being piloted in partnership with Google to reduce service disruptions and improve worker safety.
Resistance to operational changes remains from the TWU, which has expressed concerns that automation could threaten jobs. While some advocates argue for fully automated, driverless subway trains like those in Paris, union leaders and transit officials agree that fully unattended trains are currently unfeasible given the system’s safety risks, including crime, disorder, and incidents involving equipment such as e-bikes.
As contract negotiations between the MTA and TWU continue, state officials including Governor Kathy Hochul are urged to facilitate cooperation between the agency and the union to implement measures that improve safety for riders and staff without jeopardizing employment. The ongoing challenges highlight the urgency of balancing technological innovation with operational and human considerations on New York’s vast transit network.