Yankee Stadium Subway Station Elevators Plagued by Outages Despite $26.7 Million Overhaul

Despite a $26.7 million investment by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to overhaul five elevators at the Yankee Stadium subway station, riders continue to face unreliable service, with one elevator out of commission for months. An analysis of MTA records reveals that the station's new elevators logged 41 outages between April and September, including 35 unplanned interruptions.

The elevators were part of a larger $74.8 million purchase of 14 elevators across the transit system, with the five elevators at the Yankee Stadium stop accounting for a significant portion of the cost. The replacement project began in November 2024, and all five elevators were expected to be operational by April of this year.

Currently, only three of the five elevators are in full service. An MTA spokesperson described the situation as a "rebuilding season," noting that the replaced elevators were installed before Aaron Boone managed the Yankees. Boone began his tenure as Yankees manager in 2017, having played for the team in 2003.

Riders like Marie McCullough, an elderly resident who lives near the 161st Street station, expressed frustration. "It's really outrageous," McCullough said. "Many times I have not shopped downtown... because I knew the elevators weren't working." McCullough, who has a torn meniscus, relies on the elevators for essential tasks like transporting groceries.

The unreliability of the elevators has forced some riders into difficult situations. On a recent Monday, a young mother was seen waiting with a suitcase and two children in a stroller beside a broken elevator, needing assistance to carry the stroller up the stairs. "It's a shame. It's been like that for a whole year," said Regina Penny, a 70-year-old resident who offered to help. "It’s no respect for her. People with wheelchairs, walkers. It’s no respect."

One elevator, designated 135, which connects the mezzanine to the northbound B/D platform, experienced an unplanned outage in April and recorded no operational time in July, August, or September. According to the MTA website, this elevator is expected to remain out of service until January due to "Final contract items." Initially, the MTA cited "Con Edison Power Issues" for the shutdown, but Con Edison stated that voltage levels on their end were adequate. Elevator 131, linking the street and mezzanine, has also seen significant downtime, operating at 36.5% capacity in June and dropping to 0% in August before recovering slightly in September.

The MTA has not provided further details on specific repair timelines for the elevators that remain out of service.