🌱 Subway Ridership Rebounds + NYC Taxi Drivers To Get Pay Raise

Dashiell Allen
Updated ·4 min read

Hey, New York City! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and breezy. High: 60 Low: 30.

🏡 When it's time to buy or sell, be sure clients think of you first. See how we can help build your reputation as the go-to real estate pro in New York City. Learn more here.

Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

  1. Daily subway ridership reached above 3 million this week, the highest it's been since the start of the Omicron wave in December, according to the MTA. That's still down from 5.5 million, which was the pre-COVID daily average. (New York City Patch)

  2. Mayor Eric Adams announced a 5.3% pay raise for NYC taxi drivers, as of March 1st. While this doesn't set the exact fare a trip would cost, rides will now be $1.161 per mile and $0.529 per minute. This number, known as the "minimum driver pay standard," will also apply to Lyft and Uber. (New York City Patch)

  3. The charges against a man accused of beating Yao Pan Ma in East Harlem last April were upgraded to murder this week. Jarrod Powell, 50, had beaten Ma due to his race and ethnic background, said DA Alvin Bragg in a statement. Ma later died of his injuries in December.(New York City Patch)

  4. Mayor Adams stood firm that unvaccinated city workers will be fired this weekend, which is the deadline written into De Blasio's vaccine mandate. While 95% of city workers have gotten the shot, this would still be "largest workforce reduction in the country over vaccine requirements," according to The New York Times. (New York City Patch)

  5. Superstar Bon Jovi's West Village apartment is newly up for sale for a whopping $22 million. The space comes with lavish amenities, including a gym, pool, and bike room. (New York City Patch)

Today in New York City:

  • Valentine's Day Baking Class at Bond Vet - East Village, 282 1st Ave. (9:00 AM)

  • Free Soap at Clean Rite Center, 1240 E. Tremont Avenue (12:00 PM)

  • The Rodarte Experience, presented by Afterpay at Spring Studios, 50 Varick Street (12:00 PM)

  • West Chelsea Contemporary Presents: Gary James McQueen at 231 10th Ave. (3:00 PM)

  • "Well at Walker" happiness happy hour at Walker Hotel Tribeca, 77 Walker St. (4:00 PM)

  • Spencer Day Valentine's Day Weekend Livestream Concert (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Enjoy the warmer weather while it lasts, New York! Saturday might see a high of 60, but come Sunday there's a chance of snow. (New York City Patch)

  • Not a single NYC restaurant was deemed "romantic" by an online OpenTable survey. (New York City Patch)

  • A new online game explores the hidden secrets behind a mysterious MTA emergency exit in Brooklyn Heights. (Gothamist)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

Events:

  • Office & Home Furniture Liquidation Warehouse Sale..... (February 12)

  • Free Soap at Clean Rite Center (February 12)

  • A Celebration of Lunar New Year & Asian American Culture in Harlem (February 12)

  • Mass Extinction in Our Once and Future World is topic for Feb 12 CT Darwin Day (February 12)

  • Popped Collar Comedy (Free Show in Bushwick, Brooklyn) (February 12)

  • Spencer Day Valentine's Day Weekend Livestream Concert (February 12)

  • Living with Hope (February 13)

  • 💕 OPEN HOUSE! Just Listed Grand Tudor In Beautiful Forest Hills Gardens! (February 13)

  • Valentines at the Ballet (February 14)

  • FREE WEBINAR | “Building St. Peter’s” (February 15)

  • Tai Chi Flow! Tuesdays Live (Park Slope) & online (5 classes weekly) (February 15)

  • Early Literacy Workshop Series: Supporting Beginning Readers (February 17)

  • Make Your Own Natural Wax Candles Workshop in New York City (February 17)

  • Dracula and other Classic Tales (February 20)

  • WEBINAR: Medicare Outlook – What You Need to Know to Enroll (February 23)

  • A Taste of Judaism (February 28)

  • Freedom Party® NYC Mar 4! (March 4)

  • Add your event

For sale:

Gigs & services:

Job listings:

Loving the New York City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Dashiell Allen

This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch