Both New York and London are experiencing a gradual rebound in subway use, but the number of passengers still remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to reports from U.K. Department for Transport and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Based on the data from March 2020 through June 2023, subway use in London this summer has reached about 80% of pre-pandemic levels, and in New York it's at about 70% of its previous ridership.
The increasing trends could portend a recovery in visits to downtown offices and retail stores, which also remain depressed in many major cities.
London's highest underground use occurs on Saturdays, suggesting that people go out more often on weekends than weekdays. This may indicate that some Londoners still work from home or follow a hybrid work model during weekdays, resulting in lower weekday traffic. On the other hand, Fridays are the peak days for subway ridership in New York.