By Philip Newman
Riders of the G train have given the line an overall grade of D−plus for the second consecutive year and proclaimed that their most important goal is to experience reasonable waiting times for trains.
The city Transit Authority conducted the survey in December 2008 and those polled sent in 1,896 ballots, including 1,746 by mail and 150 via the Internet.
Twenty−one service attributes were graded on the G line, which runs from Smith−9th Streets in Brooklyn to Court Square in Long Island City in Queens on weekdays and from the Brooklyn terminal to 71st Avenue in Forest Hills on week nights and weekends.
The G train is unique in two respects. It is the only major line that does not enter Manhattan and the only line that uses four−car trains.
G train patrons gave the highest grade of C to “sense of security on trains,” “signs in stations and subway cars that help riders find their way,” “lack of graffiti in stations and subway cars” and “courtesy and helpfulness of station personnel.”
The Transit Authority reported that “sense of security on trains” and “courtesy and helpfulness of station personnel” both improved from a C−minus to a C and “station announcements that are informative” also improved from a D to a D−plus.
“Minimal delays during trips” and “adequate room on board at rush hour,” however, both declined from a C−plus to a D−plus.
The remaining 16 categories got the same grades as in 2007.
Straphangers gave a 90 percent satisfaction grade to “ease of use of subway turnstiles” and “comfortable temperatures in subway cars.”
G train riders said what they want most is improvement in “reasonable wait times for trains,” followed, in order, by “minimal delays during trips,” “adequate room on board at rush hour,” “sense of security in stations” and “cleanliness of stations.”
Howard Roberts, president of the Transit Authority, said: “Customers on the G line have held steadfast to their wishes in prioritizing improvements they would like to see. We will make every effort to monitor service on the line with a goal of providing adequate service and minimizing delays during trips for our customers.”
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e−mail at news@timesledger.com or phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 136.
