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The Transit Workers' Union challenged the MTA's decision to close 42 booths and lay off the workers last month. The judge agreed Friday, saying the riding public was denied its avenue for challenging the agency's actions.

The agency decided to lay off 478 station workers in February, due to an $800 million budget shortfall.

Union leaders and workers called Friday's ruling a victory for safety and security on the subways.

"It's not so much a question of the booths, it's the question about a human presence in the subway," said TWU President John Samuelsen. "And New York City Transit riders are far more in danger without the presence of our station agents on the subway platforms and the mezzanines than they are without a human presence in the subway."

"It's awesome that we could all get our jobs back and we can continue with our lives...," said Daliz Radcliffe, one of the laid-off station agents. "I have two kids to support, one kid goes to private school. The rent, car payments."

MTA officials said in a statement, "The MTA is disappointed in today’s ruling that we cannot proceed with slated subway booth and kiosk closures without repeating the public hearing process.... These closures were necessitated by the MTA’s dire financial situation, and the need for the savings they generate remains."

Next week, the MTA will schedule public hearings on the matter.