March 8, 2021 By Allie Griffin
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has added COVID-19 vaccination sites to its live subway map to help eligible New Yorkers plan their route to get the shot.
The new feature allows straphangers to easily find the vaccination sites closest to subway stops and plan their trips accordingly.
Each vaccination site on the map is also clickable. Clicking on a site will bring up details on the health provider, address, site hours, eligibility requirements and brand of vaccine offered as well as a link to schedule an appointment for that site.
“We know that many New Yorkers rely on public transit to get to a vaccination site,” New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg said. “…This new feature represents yet another way in which New York City Transit is thinking outside the box to make sure that the people of this city can seamlessly access the vaccination sites.”
The COVID-19 vaccination site data is taken directly from the city’s vaccine website.
The live subway map, which launched in a beta phase last October, also provides updates to train service in real time. Riders can see service changes, emergency alerts and train movements as they happen.
They can also toggle the accessible stations feature to check the status of elevators and escalators at stations.
“When we debuted the Live Subway Map in October, we promised that it would evolve and take on new functions over time,” MTA Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer said. “Today is an example of just that. We’re proud to play a small role in helping untold numbers of New Yorkers find out how to get up to date, accurate subway directions to their vaccination sites.”
As additional vaccination sites open in the city and eligibility grows, the MTA will continue to update the map with the latest information, Meyer said.
The live subway map and the new vaccination site locator feature were designed entirely pro bono by the Brooklyn-based tech and design firm, Work & Co, and can be accessed at map.mta.info. To toggle the COVID-19 vaccination site locations, click the needle icon in the bottom right corner.