Omicron hits the subways

As Omicron cases keep increasing day by day, US subway workers are getting infected leading to the subway services suffering. 

About 21% of the subway workers and staff were absent this week, leading transit officials to suspend three lines and make schedule changes. New York City's subway system is the largest in the country and is currently staggering due to workers' shortages. 1300 people out of a workforce of 6300 were absent from work due to infections according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The NYC subway system owing to its massive size is a very meticulously planned network and structure. In order for all the lines to function properly and keep up with the schedule, the authorities require a certain number of workers. Due to the absenteeism, officials have had to suspend three of the systems' 22 subway lines and reduce the schedules of many others. This has led to longer wait times. The subways are one of the main modes of transport used by thousands of commuters to get to and from work in NYC. The waiting time change disrupts their schedules causing massive delays and public disapproval. The change in the train schedule is just the latest hit suffered by the transit service since the pandemic. It has killed more than 150 workers and chased away millions of daily riders and the fares they pay. This has inflicted a massive financial blow to the system putting at risk its future and rebuilding activities. The travel delay comes as bad news for officials who were planning on luring back the commuters as the pandemic eases and get back on their feet economically. 

Source: The New York Times