Subway delay alerts jump, F train shows most incidents

The number of MTA electronic alerts cautioning riders about subway delays has jumped in the city, with the F train showing the most incidents in 2013, according to transit advocacy group Straphangers Campaign.

The group’s analysis found that the amount of alerts on delay-generating incidents went from 2,967 in 2011 to 3,998 in 2013, an increase of 35 percent.

“The increase in alerts is a troubling sign that subway service is deteriorating,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the Straphangers Campaign.

The analysis, which looked at 20 subway lines, but not any of the shuttles, examined only alerts that were deemed “controllable,” excluding incidents such as sick passengers and police activity. Data from 2012 was also eliminated because of Superstorm Sandy’s effect on the numbers.

With 326 controllable MTA alerts in 2013, the F line had the most delay-generating incidents that year.

The J/Z line had the fewest with 53 incidents. It was also the most improved line, with 9 percent fewer delay alerts between 2011 and 2013, and was also the only one to experience a reduction in delay alerts during that period.

The L line experienced the largest increase from 2011 to 2013, going from 96 to 183 delay alerts.

Despite the spike in alerts, Queens fared well compared to the other boroughs.

Queens had the second fewest delay-generating controllable incidents in 2013, with 604. The Bronx had the fewest, with 416. Queens also showed the smallest jump in alerts out of the four boroughs that the subways serve, going from 489 in 2011 to 604 in 2013, a 24 percent change.

Citywide, mechanical problems generated the most alerts and accounted for about 35 percent of them, followed by signals at 31 percent and track incidents at 13 percent.

The MTA has been issuing electronic alerts to riders via email and text message since November 2008. To sign up for the free service, visit www.mymtaalerts.com.

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