We demand immediate action to address the deplorable conditions at the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station, a critical transit hub in the heart of Manhattan serving the Orange (F, B, M, D) and Yellow (N, R, Q, W) lines. Located near the iconic Empire State Building. This station serves millions of commuters, residents, and visitors each month. Its current state—marked by filth, extreme heat, safety concerns, frequent delays, and documented violence, including assaults by individuals struggling with addiction or mental instability—not only shames local commuters but tarnishes New York City’s image for domestic and international tourists. For many, waiting in this station feels like enduring a nightmarish ordeal.

Our Concerns:

1.  Unsanitary Conditions: The station is consistently filthy, with sticky and dirty floors, littered platforms, and unsanitary stairwells. Benches are frequently occupied by homeless individuals, rendering them unusable for other passengers. Reports of rats further highlight the neglect of this station.

2.  Extreme Heat and Lack of Ventilation: During summer months, temperatures in the station exceed 100°F due to no air circulation and the absence of air conditioning. This creates unbearable conditions for commuters on platforms, in passageways, and at station entrances.

3.  Frequent Train Delays: Trains on the Orange (F, B, M, D) and Yellow (N, R, Q, W) lines often run with delays, forcing commuters to wait in these intolerable conditions for over 15 minutes at a time, exacerbating discomfort and frustration.

4.  Safety Threats and Proven Violence: The presence of homeless individuals, drug addicts, and mentally disabled individuals exhibiting erratic or dangerous behavior creates an intimidating environment. Commuters feel unsafe navigating the station, particularly at night. Documented incidents of violence at the 34th Street-Herald Square station include:

                •  February 2024: A 23-year-old woman violently assaulted a musician performing on the station’s mezzanine, striking him in the head with a metal bottle, causing a serious head injury. The suspect exhibited erratic behavior, consistent with mental instability or substance use.

                •  January 2025: An MTA worker was punched in the face by a suspect at the station, resulting in minor injuries and highlighting ongoing safety risks for both commuters and staff.

                •  March 2024: A man was kicked onto the tracks at the station’s Penn Station entrance, narrowly escaping serious injury, with the suspect fleeing the scene. The attacker was reported to be homeless and acting erratically.

                •  April 2022: A 26-year-old woman was followed and groped on a southbound Q train at the station, causing significant distress until another rider intervened.

                •  December 2024: A 72-year-old man was pushed onto the tracks at the station’s northbound F train platform in an unprovoked attack by an individual described as exhibiting erratic behavior, possibly under the influence, causing a head injury.

                •  October 2024: A homeless man exhibiting erratic behavior slashed a 33-year-old commuter in the arm with a knife on the station’s B/D/F/M platform during a confrontation, requiring the victim to receive medical attention.

                •  April 2025: A mentally disabled man made a threatening gesture, moving his finger across his throat, toward a psychiatric nurse and outreach team at the station’s platform, causing alarm among nearby commuters and requiring police intervention due to the perceived homicidal threat.

5.  Presence of Mentally Disabled Individuals: The station is a frequent gathering point for mentally disabled individuals who act unpredictably, posing daily dangers to commuters. Their erratic behavior, such as shouting, threatening gestures, or physical confrontations, heightens fear and safety risks for passengers navigating the station.

6. Presence of Drug Addicts: The station has become a gathering point for individuals struggling with drug addiction, contributing to an unsafe and chaotic environment. The proximity to Penn Station, a known hub for opioid users, exacerbates this issue, with drug-related activity spilling into the 34th Street-Herald Square station, as reported by those working with addiction services in the area.

7.  Insufficient Oversight: The lack of consistent police presence allows these issues, including violent incidents and drug-related activity, to persist, compromising passenger safety.

8.  Negative Impact on New York’s Image: As a central Manhattan station near the Empire State Building, 34th Street-Herald Square is a key entry point for millions, including visitors from other cities, states, and countries. Its deplorable conditions, compounded by violence and drug activity, leave a lasting negative impression, undermining New York City’s reputation as a world-class destination.

Our Demands:

1.  Thorough Daily Cleaning Multiple Times a Day: Implement a rigorous cleaning schedule with thorough cleanings several times a day for the entire station, including platforms, stairwells, passageways, and areas surrounding all entrances. Ensure benches are accessible to all passengers.

2.  Air Conditioning and Ventilation: Install and maintain air conditioning or improved ventilation systems across the Orange (F, B, M, D) and Yellow (N, R, Q, W) line platforms, passageways, and entrances to ensure a safe and comfortable temperature year-round.

3.  Improved Train Reliability: Address the frequent delays on the Orange (F, B, M, D) and Yellow (N, R, Q, W) lines to minimize wait times in the station’s harsh conditions.

4.  Removal of Unsafe Individuals: Work with social services and law enforcement to compassionately relocate homeless individuals and address those exhibiting dangerous or erratic behavior, including drug addicts and mentally disabled individuals, ensuring a safe environment for all commuters.

5.  Increased Police Presence: Station NYPD officers at the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station daily to deter unsafe behavior, prevent violent incidents, and address drug-related activity, providing a visible security presence for commuters.

The 34th Street-Herald Square station is a vital transportation hub for millions of New Yorkers, visitors, and tourists, located in the heart of Manhattan near the Empire State Building. Its current state—filthy, swelteringly unbearable, unsafe due to documented violence by homeless individuals, drug addicts, and mentally disabled individuals, and plagued by delays—creates an environment so intolerable that it feels like a living hell for commuters. This is not only a disgrace for daily commuters but also a profound embarrassment for a station that serves as a gateway to New York City for visitors from across the nation and the world. We urge the MTA, New York City Transit, the Mayor’s Office, and the NYPD to take immediate action to restore this station to a clean, safe, comfortable, and reliable transit hub that reflects the pride and prestige of New York City.