MTA Issues Late Notes for NYC Employees Affected by Subway Problems
# **The MTA’s Subway and Bus Delay Verification Program: How to Obtain a Note for Being Late**
New York City boasts one of the largest subway networks globally, catering to millions of commuters daily. However, with an average punctuality rate of just above **82% in 2024**, delays in subway and bus services are part and parcel of urban living. Be it due to track repairs, police work, or ill passengers, delays can be exasperating—especially when you’re on your way to work, school, or an important meeting.
Fortunately, **the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides passengers with an official confirmation of service delays**, which can be utilized as evidence of lateness for jobs, educational institutions, or other obligations. Here’s all you need to understand about this beneficial yet not widely known service.
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## **What Is the Subway and Bus Delay Verification Program?**
The **Subway and Bus Delay Verification** initiative is a service from the MTA that offers formal documentation when issues with public transport lead to considerable delays. This verification validates any delay **exceeding 10 minutes** that occurred on MTA subways or buses in the **last 180 days**.
Though many commuters may not be aware of this service, the MTA has been providing these verification notes for **a number of years**. The program assists New Yorkers in justifying their tardiness when their journey is unexpectedly prolonged due to circumstances outside their influence.
## **How to Request a Delay Verification Note**
If you have experienced a delay of more than **10 minutes** and require proof of your lateness, you can easily obtain a tardy note by following these steps:
1. **Visit the MTA’s Delay Verification Page**
– Access the **[MTA’s official website](https://delayverification.mta.info/)** and locate their **Subway and Bus Delay Verification** request form.
2. **Complete the Online Form**
– Enter information about your journey, such as:
– The train or bus routes utilized
– The specific date and time of your travel
– The estimated number of minutes delayed
3. **Receive Confirmation**
– Upon submitting your request, you will get a confirmation email from the MTA.
4. **Await the Official Verification Email**
– Within **36 hours to three business days**, the MTA will dispatch a second email detailing their findings regarding the delay. This email acts as your official late note.
### **What If Your Delay Was More Than 180 Days Ago?**
If your delay occurred **more than 180 days ago**, you won’t be able to submit an online request. Instead, you’ll need to reach out to **MTA Customer Service** directly by calling **511** to ask for verification.
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## **Why This Service Is Important**
Numerous employers and educational institutions demand documentation for late arrivals, and **the MTA’s verification note supplies an official justification** for your delay. This can prove especially beneficial for those in workplaces with strict attendance rules, enabling employees to present **evidence of an uncontrollable transit issue** rather than merely offering a personal explanation.
Moreover, for students relying on public transport, this verification might be vital in preventing penalties for being late at school.
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## **In Summary**
Although **subway and bus delays** in New York City are frequently frustrating, the **Subway and Bus Delay Verification program** provides commuters a means to demonstrate that their lateness was beyond their control. Should you find yourself running late due to transit interruptions, seize the opportunity to request an official MTA delay verification—it could save you from potential issues with your employer or teacher!
For further details on this service, visit the **[MTA website](https://www.mta.info/).**
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### **Related Articles**
– [How New York City’s Subway Stations Have Transformed Into an Underground Art Gallery](https://mymodernmet.com/contemporary-mta-underground-art-book/)
– [Dazzling Mosaic Birds Soar Across the Walls of a Subway Station in Manhattan](https://mymodernmet.com/wild-things-fred-tomaselli/)
– [Photographer Spent Eight Years Capturing Life on the Gritty New York Subway in the 1970s and 1980s](https://mymodernmet.com/willy-spiller-hell-on-wheels/)
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### **Sources:**
– **[Late for work? The MTA will take the blame and give your boss a note. Here’s how.](https://www.amny.com/news/mta-late-note-boss-subway-bus-rail/)**
– **[NYC’s Most Delayed Subway Lines in 2024 – Did Your Train Make the Top Spot?](https://nypost.com/2024/