By Danielle Kaye

NEW YORK (Reuters), Several transportation agencies are now suspending service or reducing it due to COVID-19 staff shortfalls. The Omicron variant is booming across America.

According to Aaron Donovan, spokesperson for the MTA, three subway lines in New York City were shut down by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. One on Wednesday, and two on Thursday.

MTA suspends lines to four of New York City’s five boroughs: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Bronx. On Wednesday, the suspension was extended and the MTA continued the suspension on Thursday.

The United States reported a record-breaking number of cases based upon the average seven-day period. This was the result of Reuters’ tally. Officials in the United States are weighing the effects of Omicron, a more transmittable variant.

Ohio’s Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), has been able maintain service in spite of increased COVID-19 caseloads among its employees. Staff shortages however, forced this week’s reduction in train frequency on its rapid trains. Linda Krecic, spokesperson for RTA, stated that instead of trains running every 15-30 minutes, they now run 45-60 minutes to an hour.

Krecic stated that they have been careful to ensure we can keep our schedules,” adding that ridership had remained high in the past weeks, despite Omicron worries.

Metrolink’s crew shortage caused the cancellation of early morning trains from San Bernardino for a New Year’s Eve party.

Laurene Lopez, spokesperson for Metrolink said that the agency saw an increase in COVID-19-related cases this week among both employees and contractors.