Maligned Line To Receive Attention
After the urging of two state senators, recent protests and petitions, the MTA has decided to conduct a full-line review of the G train through June 2013 and the hope from residents is that it will lead to vast service improvements.
Riders in North Brooklyn have complained ad nauseum about the G train, saying it is overcrowded, delayed and rerouted too often than not.
“It’s by far the worst subway line around; by leaps and bounds. Never timely and way too many people scrunched into too few cars,” said Artie Stark, a 41-year-old Bushwick resident, told the Times Newsweekly ashewaitedforaGtrainnearits Flushing Avenue station on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Stark described a notable complaint of the G train-it typically has four cars, while most other lines have trains with eight to 10 cars.
Last month, State Senators Daniel Squadron and Martin Malave Dilan asked the MTA to conduct a Full Line Review of the G line’s performance, hosting a rally along with the Riders Alliance, elected officials, transit advocates and straphangers, as well as sending a letter that outlined the challenges of the service.
The MTA has agreed to listen.
“G train riders spoke. Now, this Full Line Review will give us real answers to lead to real changes,” said Squadron in a statement. “Working together in the past, we’ve made dramatic improvements throughout the system-including first-of-their-kind Full Line Reviews that led to better F and L train service.
“The G train is often maligned, but it’s vitally important,” added John Raskin, executive director of the Riders Alliance.
A long list of area-elected officials also praised the decision, including State Sen. Michael Gianaris.
“The G train is a lifeline for New Yorkers traveling between Brooklyn and Queens, and I am hopeful the MTA will expeditiously implement much needed improvements so this line can better serve our commuters,” Gianaris said.
Squadron-and residents-will be glad if the train’s service is benefited from the reviews, much like lines were during previous ones.
The first Full Line Review was done at Squadron’s request in 2009, leading to improved F train service which included frequent and on-time trains and newer and cleaner subway cars along the line beginning in 2009. Last summer, service along the L line was increased after a Squadron-initiated review. Seven additional round trip trains on Sundays, 16 additional peak and off-peak round trip trains on weekdays and 11 additional round trip trains on Saturdays were added.
