MTA Sued Over Subway Booth Closures

NEW YORK, NY — A transit workers union, elected officials and a disability rights group filed a lawsuit accusing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of illegally closing subway booths without required public hearings.

The complaint, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court by Transport Workers Union Local 100, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and the Center for the Independence of the Disabled New York, alleges the MTA violated state public authorities law by failing to hold hearings before “complete or partial closing” of station booths.

The suit says the agency’s actions could affect hundreds of locations.

“The MTA, in their not-so-infinite wisdom, once again is taking away people who are the eyes and ears of everyone inside the transit system,” John Chiarello, president of TWU Local 100, said during a news conference outside the Jay Street-MetroTech station in Downtown Brooklyn. “I know that if you don’t have this in the system, there’s going to be issues.”

The lawsuit also alleges violations of the city’s Human Rights Law, arguing that closing booths reduces access for riders with disabilities, particularly at stations where agents operate service gates.

“There’s always a booth operator present to help make that happen,” Reynoso said. “And what the MTA decided to do is, unilaterally not replace a worker if they go out of work, if an emergency happens — they want to keep the booths empty.”

The legal challenge marks the latest conflict between the union and the MTA over staffing levels in station booths, often referred to as token booths. The dispute comes as the two sides prepare for contract negotiations later this year.

In early 2023, the union agreed to allow more than 2,500 station agents to move out of booths and provide customer service throughout stations, including on platforms. The agreement included a $1 hourly wage increase.

An MTA spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Disputes over booth closures date back decades. In 2001, a court temporarily blocked the MTA from closing 53 booths without hearings after a legal challenge from the union and advocacy groups. At the time, more than 900 booths operated systemwide. That number has since dropped to about 400, according to the union.

The fight has continued even as the subway system phased out tokens in 2003 and ended MetroCard sales in 2025. Union leaders argue that station agents remain critical for safety, accessibility and customer service across the system.