What percentage of New Yorkers use public transportation?

The New York percent using public transportation from the latest estimates is 28.1% and has fallen 1.1% from 28.4%.



In 2026, New York City remains the only major metropolis in the United States where a majority of households do not own a car, leading to a public transit usage rate that is unparalleled in North America. According to current data, approximately 55% to 60% of NYC residents use public transportation—including the subway, buses, and ferries—as their primary mode of commuting to work. If you narrow the scope specifically to Manhattan, that figure surges to over 75%. This high dependency is driven by the sheer density of the city and the high cost of parking, which often exceeds $600 a month in prime neighborhoods. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) remains the lifeblood of the city, carrying over 3.5 million riders daily on the subway alone. While remote work trends have slightly altered commuting patterns since 2020, the "transit-first" culture of New Yorkers remains a defining characteristic of the city's economy and lifestyle, making it the most sustainable major city in the U.S. per capita due to this massive reliance on shared electric rail and bus systems.

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