More Than Half of Subway Stations Systemwide Converted to Brighter, Modern, Efficient Lighting in Less Than a Year
New LED Lighting Reduces Energy Use, Saves $5.9 Million Annually, Enhances Station Security, Increases Visibility for Customers and Illumination for 15,000 Station Cameras
MTA Saved an Additional $3.3 Million in 2024 by Converting Subway Car and Tunnel Lights to LEDs
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that crews have replaced fluorescent light fixtures with LED lights at 250 stations across the subway system, ahead of their original year-end target, part of a New York City Transit initiative to convert more than 150,000 fluorescent light fixtures by mid-2026.
When complete, this project will generate an estimated $5.9 million in annual recurring energy and material cost savings. It will brighten every subway platform and mezzanine, increasing safety systemwide and enhancing the customer experience. The new LED light fixtures will also provide greater illumination for 15,000 security cameras in the subway system, creating more detailed images for the NYPD to use when necessary.
“In just one year, we have converted over half of our stations to brighter and more efficient LED lights, reducing costs, slashing emissions, and improving the customer experience,” said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “These lights make our customers feel safer, and with brighter stations, the images on our security cameras are clearer and more helpful when needed.”
“Switching to LED lighting makes our stations safer and enhances the customer experience, both top priorities of the MTA,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “Millions of New Yorkers and thousands of transit workers spend at least part of their day in one of our stations and making them feel safe is our goal every minute of every day.”
Installing these LED light fixtures in subway stations has the MTA on pace to save $1.6 million this year. On top of that, 77% of the subway fleet has been converted to LED lights for an additional savings of $1 million. LED installations in air condition-powered tunnels will save the MTA another $2.3 million. In total, the LED conversion will save nearly $5 million this year, with further savings coming as other tunnel and station conversions are completed.
This project began in January 2024 at the Bergen St station and was completed most recently at 5 Av-59 St and Prince St .
The project follows on the footsteps of the Authority’s Revive Program, which includes station-wide repairs, enhancements, and deep cleanings across the subway system.