By Philip Newman
Transit officials are planning cuts in early morning No. 7 subway service toward the end of the year, including elimination of four express trains, according to the New York City Transit Authority.
Under the plan, four No. 7 express trains would be taken out of service and the first express service would begin at 6:20 a.m. rather than 5:30 a.m.
Several local trains would be added in early morning hours, according to NYCTA officials, who said the changes would become effective sometime in December.
The No. 7 changes are what Paul Fleuranges, chief spokesman for the Transit Authority, called “normal business” changes and connected with rider trends.
“In the case of the 7, it’s about putting the trains where we need the service,” Fleuranges said. “While these early express trips [from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.] are being dropped, those trains appear later in the rush hour schedule as either expresses or locals where, based on ridership and capacity, they are needed.”
The coming weekend will see the start of possibly the most extensive cutbacks in Metropolitan Transportation Authority history in the agency’s struggle against its financial distress.
The shutdown of the W and V lines will come Sunday along with a shortening and rerouting of several other subways and rescheduling, rerouting or elimination of dozens of bus lines.
For some express buses and other five-days-a-week service, the changes will come Friday.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
