
If you were to plan your commute solely to avoid rat encounters, you might as well skip the subway all together. According to the Transit app’s “subway rat detector,” the rats are everywhere.
Their data, compiled by rodent spotters across the five boroughs, shows that rats have been reported during nearly one in every two subway rides. Although rats can be found at nearly every station, Transit app’s data declared the three most rat-infested subway stations within the last 30 days. Those in proper rank order are: 116 Street Station (2,3), 125 Street Station (4,5,6), and Parsons Blvd (E,F).

Other notable ratty subway stations include: 149 St – Grand Concourse, Broadway Junction, Times Sq – 42 St / Port Authority Bus Terminal, 14 St – Union Sq, W 4 St – Wash Sq, and Flushing-Main St. Each of these stations have had a least 10 rider reports of rats in the past 30 days.
Concerned about the station nearest you? Luckily, Transit actually has a search function to check on the rat status of other NYC subway stations. Due note, data is dependent on whether people are reporting rat sightings; therefore, not every single subway station has sufficient data.

According to Transit, the rats really come out to play after 2am, as data supports they’re most active after dark. Expected, but interesting to note, riders are much more likely to spot rats in an underground station, rather than an above ground one.
You can explore all of the rat data and its most recent updates at transitapp.com/rats. However, the message is overwhelming clear: ride at your own rat risk!