Nothing last forever in New York City, unless it's everyone's disdain for the MTA, the state of the subway, and well, NYC mass transit in general. 

Even though the MTA's worked out the $30 billion capital plan they'll need to keep the trains running, funding for the perennially incomplete 2nd Avenue line was slashed by 50%. And this all comes on the heels of Senator Daniel Squadron's report chronicling the crumbling of the subways in the 23rd district.

So now, it's alarming to recognize that one quarter of NYC's subways have a closed entrance, causing unprecedented congestion in the face of ridership being at an all time high and a spike in subway crime.

Some of the entrance closures are as big of a mystery to subway officials as they are to riders, as they've been shut down for so many decades, nobody knows exactly why they were closed in the first place.

But it's clear that at least some underground congestion would be alleviated if the 119 stations with closed entrances opened all their doors. It's especially frustrating for riders to see closed entrances at stations that are clearly overcrowded, such as the Bedford L stop in Williamsburg. 

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Furthermore, the NYPD has drastically altered their policing methods over the last year. While the changes have resulted in a greater focus on prevention of violent and gun-related crime rather than accruing nonviolent drug arrests, subway crime has risen 7.5% in 2015.

Though, it is essential to note that much of that crime accounted for, the victims are sleeping people being robbed, a constant problem that's best handled by staying alert on the train.

But it begs the question, if the nearly 25% of NYC stations with entrance closures opened all their doors to relieve congestion, would we be any safer underground? Many of them were closed in the interest of saving money on 

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It's important to recognize that many of the closed subway entrances were initially sealed off years ago, when subway ridership was much lower and crime was much higher. Much higher meaning close to double the rates we're seeing today. 

Logically, opening all the subway entrances would have its cost, namely, additional station agents on patrol-- why many were closed in the first place --but with less crowding, more patrols, and the ongoing focus of preventing violent crime (rather than digging in your pockets), wouldn't we all be better off?

What do you think?

Check out 7 Fun Things to Do in NYC When It's Cold and Dark Outside. 

[via AM New York]

[Feature Image Courtesy 6Sqft]