City Comptroller Scott Stringer is making recommendations to the MTA due to a drop in ridership caused by the pandemic.

Stringer says the MTA subway ridership is currently 50% below pre-pandemic levels while bus ridership is down 40%.

As a result, fare revenue for subways and buses have dropped $2.9 million from 2019 and 2020.

The new report, named Beyond the Rush Hour, also showed 61% of jobs in shift work or service industries that don't follow the typical work schedule are located outside of Manhattan. While subway ridership in Manhattan was down 66% last year, the Bronx only decreased by 53%.

The comptroller's recommendations include:

- Implementing the “New York City in Six” plan so that all subway routes arrive at least every six minutes throughout the day, every day

- Requiring big companies to encourage commuting into work to cut down traffic congestion

- Revising the gas tax so that two-thirds of the revenue is dedicated to public transit

- Reducing fare prices for workers who use commuter rails like LIRR and Metro North.

Stringer is asking the MTA to make these changes to keep up with the city's changing economy in a post-pandemic world.

The MTA released a statement saying, "We welcome the comptroller's focus on transit challenges and recommendation for new dedicated funding streams... We recognize the critical role the MTA plays in recovery of the region's economy... and have announced exploration of new fare options while continually providing better service with resources available."