Famous New Yorkers Lend Voices To MTA Subways, Buses

NEW YORK CITY — New announcements on MTA's subways and buses are sure to have straphangers asking, "What's the deal with Jerry Seinfeld telling me to practice social distancing?"

Seinfeld is among more than 25 famous New Yorkers who lent their voices to the city's subway and bus systems. It's part of an MTA campaign done in conjunction with Nicolas Heller, AKA @newyorknico, the "unofficial talent scout of New York City."

“The city's subways and buses--and the range of characters who ride them--have always been central to my work and I'm so grateful that I could help bring some of the most recognizable voices of iconic New Yorkers to the system," Heller said in a statement.

The recordings rolled out Friday, so many New Yorkers probably have already heard Whoopi Goldberg tell them to always wear a mask on the train and in the station.

"And remember to wear it the right way," Goldberg says in her announcement. "Do your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep our city safe. 'Cause, honey, everybody wants to go out. Okay? Thank you."

Maybe straphangers missed Goldberg, but heard Jerry Seinfeld instead.

"Please do your best to practice social distancing on the train and in the station," Seinfeld's announcement goes. "Staying 6 feet apart is not only a great way to keep our city safe—think how much you'll save not needing cologne. Thanks, New York."

MTA's subways and buses have seen decreased ridership during the coronavirus pandemic — a situation that threatens to curtail funding for the vital transit system.

Sarah Feinberg, the system's interim director, said the campaign aims to bring a bit of joy to riders.

"This has been a difficult year for New York City Transit, but as we start to look beyond the pandemic, we hope this new set of announcements will remind our customers of what makes New York so special," she said in a statement.

New Yorkers who will be heard giving announcements are:

• Whoopi Goldberg
• Cam’ron
• Young M.A.
• Jerry Seinfeld
• Edie Falco
• Bowen Yang
• Awkwafina
• Angie Martinez
• Bob the Drag Queen
• Debi Mazar
• Michael Rapaport
• Jadakiss
• DesusNice
• The Kid Mero
• MaliibuMitch
• Dave East
• FivioForeign
• Pat Kiernan
• Angela Yee
• Peter Rosenberg
• Ilana Glazer
• Michael Kay
• Eric Andre
• Abbi Jacobson