After your fourth slack of the week sharing that you’re having “train troubles” on the way to the office, it starts to seem a bit suspicious. However, the unfortunate truth is that subway delays are actually that bad. And to prove your innocence in it all, the MTA is willing to write a tardy note that you can give to your boss…it just may take a few days.
If you experience delays of 10 minutes or more within the last 180 days, your eligible to submit a subway and bus delay verification from the MTA. If you’ve really got a record to clear and need verification from an event more than 180 days ago, you can take it up with the MTA’s Customer Services team at 511.
Passengers must recall the route they took and the proper timing and total minutes delayed of each bus or train to their best ability. For people who took a longer alternative route because of delays on their usual route, MTA asks you provide what your normal route is. Submissions can also include further trip comments to specify any other details.
Once the MTA receives a request, riders will get a confirmation email that your submission has been collected. Final delay verifications will be sent out anywhere from 36 hours to three business days.
MTA said:
While we make every effort to run our trains and buses to schedule, delays occur for a variety of reasons, including sick passengers, police investigations, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and other factors. We thank you for your patience and for riding with MTA New York City Transit.
The delay verification program actually launched more than a decade ago in 2013, but many New Yorkers don’t even remember it exists.
So next time you find yourself sending a fourth slack in a row of why your late to the office, don’t forget you can provide actual proof with an MTA delay verification note!