The S60 bus claims the lowest ridership in the city’s system. For MTA officials, it’s too small to justify the cost. But for some students, it’s the only mass transit option for commuting to school. The route also carries senior citizens up and down a hill that turns treacherous in the winter.

It was one of several cuts that headlined the MTA’s Staten Island public hearing last week.

— Aashish Jethra

Subway and bus ridership dropped in 2009, for the first time in six years, according to the New York Times. Media reports are suggesting the loss is due to the recession.

But riders that we spoke to at the 72^nd Street station say that’s not the only reason. Columbia student Tyler Kim says he’s been taking taxis more often because he doesn’t feel safe on the train at night.

Still, most riders say they’re sticking with the MTA. In New York City, what choice do you have?

Take a look at what riders told us turns them off about the tracks and what keeps them coming back. Then let us know what you think about the system.

– Simone Sebastian

The MTA released its ridership figures for 2009 yesterday.  Apparently there were over 63 million fewer rides on the system than in 2008.  The system total is still a respectable 2.31 billion, but it represents the first annual drop since 2003.

Fault is, of course, the great recession and the effect job-loss has on the need to use the train every day.

The diminishing ridership comes in the face of budget shortfalls and service cuts.

Still, anyone standing on overcrowded platforms between 7 AM and 9 AM is forgiven for wondering how those 63 million extra passengers fit on to the already overcrowded trains.

Check out NY1 for a news clip.