NEW YORK - The MTA is suspending a pilot program that eliminated many overnight cleaning positions on subway lines.

This, after some stations have gotten a lot dirtier. 

In 2017, the MTA eliminated many overnight cleaning positions and moved those jobs to day and night shifts. Skeletal crews were still kept and deep cleaning occurred when needed. 

This shift first started on the R train and then extended to the A, G, 6 and D lines. 

The goal was to clean stations quicker but that reportedly resulted in bigger messes in the morning and heavier workloads for morning crews. 

Passengers say they've noticed.

"It can definitely be more cleaner. I'm in stations like Washington, D.C., Oakland out in West Coast. Much different atmosphere in terms of the actual cleanliness of the stations," said one rider.

"Some of the stations can be clean, some of them can be a little dirty. I mean it'll be nice if they can improve it," said another rider.

The MTA released a statement that reads in part, "With the introduction of the Group Station Manager program, we're taking a fresh look at the whole stations program and as a result we're suspending the pilot early in 2019." 

The change was instituted before MTA transit President Andy Byford took over, but the turnover is part of his new regime. 

This will take place in January.