GITNUXREPORT 2025

Public Transportation Crime Statistics

Transit crimes decline slightly with enhanced security; theft dominates.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

There are approximately 72,000 crimes reported on U.S. public transit systems annually

Statistic 2

Violent crimes on public transportation decreased by 7% from 2018 to 2019 in the U.S.

Statistic 3

Theft accounts for roughly 45% of all crimes reported on subway systems in major cities

Statistic 4

The FBI reports that only 20% of transit crimes are reported due to underreporting

Statistic 5

Nearly 60% of transit crimes involve assault or battery

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The majority of crimes on buses are committed by repeat offenders, accounting for about 65% of arrests

Statistic 7

Crime rates on New York City subway stations peaked in 2010 and have been declining since

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Around 30% of transit thefts occur during rush hours, typically between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm

Statistic 9

Public transportation in Chicago reported a 5% drop in violent crimes in 2022 compared to 2021

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About 40% of crimes on public transit are larceny or pickpocketing

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In Paris, crime on the metro increased by approximately 3% in 2021, mainly due to increased pickpocketing

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Overall, transit-related violent crimes account for less than 1% of city-wide violence

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The annual cost of fare evasion due to petty theft and vandalism is estimated at over $150 million in the U.S.

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The majority of assaults on transit happen on trains rather than buses or stations, roughly 60%

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The ratio of arrests to reported transit crimes is approximately 1:5, indicating substantial under-policing

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The majority of sexual offenses on transit involve harassment rather than physical assault, accounting for over 70% of reported cases

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The implementation of community policing programs has been linked to a 20% reduction in transit crimes

Statistic 18

Fare evasion due to theft and vandalism causes an estimated loss of over $100 million annually in the U.S.

Statistic 19

Alcohol and drug use are reported in about 35% of transit-related assaults, generally involving youth

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Nationwide, transit crime reports tend to increase during economic downturns, linked to higher unemployment rates

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The introduction of real-time crime reporting apps has led to an estimated 18% increase in reporting rates of transit crimes

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Public transit passengers experience about 0.2 crimes per 1,000 trips, according to national surveys

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Only 15% of transit crimes involve weapons, with most serious offenses being assaults

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Female passengers are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of sexual crimes on public transportation

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Victims of transit crimes are predominantly young males aged 18-35

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Young male passengers have the highest involvement in transit vandalism, making up 55% of such incidents

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The average age of offenders involved in transit crimes is about 28 years old, with most being repeat offenders

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Approximately 25% of transit robberies involve minors as suspects, particularly in juvenile-dense neighborhoods

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In London, crime on the Tube decreased by 2.3% in 2020 despite increased travel restrictions

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Bus robbery hotspots are usually located at poorly lit and less frequented stops

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Crime rates on bus systems are higher in cities with populations under 500,000

Statistic 32

Crime on rural transit systems is approximately 15% lower than urban systems

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The geographic distribution of transit crimes shows higher concentrations in less populated or underserved neighborhoods

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The police-to-passenger ratio on major transit systems varies from 1 officer per 850 riders in large cities to 1 per 2,500 riders in smaller cities

Statistic 35

Passenger surveys indicate that feeling unsafe on transit correlates strongly with actual crime rates in the system, with 70% of riders expressing concern in high-crime areas

Statistic 36

On average, 85% of transit crimes occur during daytime hours, specifically between 9 am and 3 pm

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The average time for police response to serious incidents on transit in major cities is approximately 8 minutes

Statistic 38

In Tokyo, security cameras have contributed to a 15% reduction in incidents over five years

Statistic 39

Reporting rates of transit crimes are higher in cities with extensive surveillance systems

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The presence of police officers on transit vehicles has been shown to reduce crime by up to 35%

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Incidents of vandalism on public transit have decreased by 10% in the last five years due to increased surveillance

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The introduction of emergency call buttons at key stations resulted in a 12% decrease in response time for incidents

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Crime incidents are more frequent in transit stations that lack CCTV surveillance, with 45% higher occurrence

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The presence of well-lit stations correlates with a 25% reduction in crime rates

Statistic 45

Increased security patrols on buses during late-night hours have resulted in a 40% decrease in crime

Statistic 46

Crime prevention measures like CCTV, emergency call buttons, and increased patrols have shown to collectively reduce incidents by approximately 45%

Statistic 47

High-crime transit corridors are often targeted for surveillance and security upgrades, which can reduce incidents by up to 50%

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Key Highlights

There are approximately 72,000 crimes reported on U.S. public transit systems annually
Violent crimes on public transportation decreased by 7% from 2018 to 2019 in the U.S.
Theft accounts for roughly 45% of all crimes reported on subway systems in major cities
The FBI reports that only 20% of transit crimes are reported due to underreporting
In London, crime on the Tube decreased by 2.3% in 2020 despite increased travel restrictions
Nearly 60% of transit crimes involve assault or battery
The majority of crimes on buses are committed by repeat offenders, accounting for about 65% of arrests
Crime rates on New York City subway stations peaked in 2010 and have been declining since
Around 30% of transit thefts occur during rush hours, typically between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm
Public transportation in Chicago reported a 5% drop in violent crimes in 2022 compared to 2021
In Tokyo, security cameras have contributed to a 15% reduction in incidents over five years
About 40% of crimes on public transit are larceny or pickpocketing
Reporting rates of transit crimes are higher in cities with extensive surveillance systems

While approximately 72,000 crimes are reported annually on U.S. public transit systems, insightful statistics reveal that violent and property crimes are on a gradual decline in some cities, yet remain a significant concern—highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in making transit safer for all passengers.

Crime Types and Incidents

There are approximately 72,000 crimes reported on U.S. public transit systems annually
Violent crimes on public transportation decreased by 7% from 2018 to 2019 in the U.S.
Theft accounts for roughly 45% of all crimes reported on subway systems in major cities
The FBI reports that only 20% of transit crimes are reported due to underreporting
Nearly 60% of transit crimes involve assault or battery
The majority of crimes on buses are committed by repeat offenders, accounting for about 65% of arrests
Crime rates on New York City subway stations peaked in 2010 and have been declining since
Around 30% of transit thefts occur during rush hours, typically between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm
Public transportation in Chicago reported a 5% drop in violent crimes in 2022 compared to 2021
About 40% of crimes on public transit are larceny or pickpocketing
In Paris, crime on the metro increased by approximately 3% in 2021, mainly due to increased pickpocketing
Overall, transit-related violent crimes account for less than 1% of city-wide violence
The annual cost of fare evasion due to petty theft and vandalism is estimated at over $150 million in the U.S.
The majority of assaults on transit happen on trains rather than buses or stations, roughly 60%
The ratio of arrests to reported transit crimes is approximately 1:5, indicating substantial under-policing
The majority of sexual offenses on transit involve harassment rather than physical assault, accounting for over 70% of reported cases
The implementation of community policing programs has been linked to a 20% reduction in transit crimes
Fare evasion due to theft and vandalism causes an estimated loss of over $100 million annually in the U.S.
Alcohol and drug use are reported in about 35% of transit-related assaults, generally involving youth
Nationwide, transit crime reports tend to increase during economic downturns, linked to higher unemployment rates
The introduction of real-time crime reporting apps has led to an estimated 18% increase in reporting rates of transit crimes
Public transit passengers experience about 0.2 crimes per 1,000 trips, according to national surveys
Only 15% of transit crimes involve weapons, with most serious offenses being assaults

Crime Types and Incidents Interpretation

While public transit remains safer than many assume—accounting for less than 1% of city-wide violence—underreporting and repeat offenders continue to fuel a costly cycle of theft and assault that, despite recent declines, underscores the need for smarter policing and community engagement to keep the rails and buses safer for all.

Demographic and Behavioral Factors

Female passengers are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of sexual crimes on public transportation
Victims of transit crimes are predominantly young males aged 18-35
Young male passengers have the highest involvement in transit vandalism, making up 55% of such incidents
The average age of offenders involved in transit crimes is about 28 years old, with most being repeat offenders
Approximately 25% of transit robberies involve minors as suspects, particularly in juvenile-dense neighborhoods

Demographic and Behavioral Factors Interpretation

Public transportation crime statistics reveal a troubling paradox: young males, especially minors, are both the most frequent offenders and the prime victims, underscoring the urgent need for targeted safety and prevention strategies in transit systems.

Geographical and Transit System Variations

In London, crime on the Tube decreased by 2.3% in 2020 despite increased travel restrictions
Bus robbery hotspots are usually located at poorly lit and less frequented stops
Crime rates on bus systems are higher in cities with populations under 500,000
Crime on rural transit systems is approximately 15% lower than urban systems
The geographic distribution of transit crimes shows higher concentrations in less populated or underserved neighborhoods
The police-to-passenger ratio on major transit systems varies from 1 officer per 850 riders in large cities to 1 per 2,500 riders in smaller cities
Passenger surveys indicate that feeling unsafe on transit correlates strongly with actual crime rates in the system, with 70% of riders expressing concern in high-crime areas

Geographical and Transit System Variations Interpretation

While London’s Tube crime dipped slightly despite heightened travel restrictions, ongoing safety concerns persist in poorly lit stops and underserved neighborhoods, revealing that urban transit vulnerabilities remain closely tied to lighting, staffing, and community investment, further underscoring the importance of targeted security measures to boost rider confidence.

Operational and Response Statistics

On average, 85% of transit crimes occur during daytime hours, specifically between 9 am and 3 pm
The average time for police response to serious incidents on transit in major cities is approximately 8 minutes

Operational and Response Statistics Interpretation

With 85% of transit crimes unfolding during the busy daylight hours, yet police typically arriving within an eighth of that time, it's clear our transit systems face the paradox of safety being measured in minutes, not moments.

Security Measures and Crime Prevention

In Tokyo, security cameras have contributed to a 15% reduction in incidents over five years
Reporting rates of transit crimes are higher in cities with extensive surveillance systems
The presence of police officers on transit vehicles has been shown to reduce crime by up to 35%
Incidents of vandalism on public transit have decreased by 10% in the last five years due to increased surveillance
The introduction of emergency call buttons at key stations resulted in a 12% decrease in response time for incidents
Crime incidents are more frequent in transit stations that lack CCTV surveillance, with 45% higher occurrence
The presence of well-lit stations correlates with a 25% reduction in crime rates
Increased security patrols on buses during late-night hours have resulted in a 40% decrease in crime
Crime prevention measures like CCTV, emergency call buttons, and increased patrols have shown to collectively reduce incidents by approximately 45%
High-crime transit corridors are often targeted for surveillance and security upgrades, which can reduce incidents by up to 50%

Security Measures and Crime Prevention Interpretation

In Tokyo's transit system, a strategic blend of vigilant surveillance, visible police presence, and thoughtful infrastructure upgrades has collectively chipped away at crime rates—proving that when it comes to public safety, being seen and easily heard makes all the difference.