January 5, 2008: Vol. 31, No. 1
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The hapless G: the worst subway line in the city?
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del.icio.usThe G-train is pint-size, infrequent and doesn’t go to Manhattan — no wonder riders gave it the one of the worst report card grades in the city.
Thousands of straphangers filled out surveys for the beleaguered, outer-borough line and handed the G train an ugly D+, tying it for worst with four other lines, including Brooklyn’s own C train and the Franklin Avenue shuttle.
The worst offense, according to respondents, was the lengthy wait times, which earned the G a nearly failing D-minus.
“In general, they’re on schedule,” said rider Caroline Papocchia, who lives in Clinton Hill, where the G train is a lifeline (though one that doesn’t go to the city). “But, the thing is, the schedule is infrequent.”
As the clock approaches the wee hours of the night that schedule gets even worse.
“If it’s after 11 pm, I don’t even ride it,” said Caitlin Duffy, who prefers a longer walk home from the C train into Fort Greene rather than transfer at Hoyt-Schermerhorn to the G, which is actually closer to her home.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it will increase the number of G trains running if — and this is a big IF — new fares generate enough money.
The increased service would slash the amount of time between trains by four to seven minutes on weekday evenings, and cut two to four minutes from the weekend waits.
Transit advocates think there’s no reason why the transit agency — which said budget shortfalls required a fare hike — can’t come up with the $46 million a year it would take to improve G-train service.
“I spoke with the MTA [on Wednesday] and they sounded optimistic,” said Paul Nelson, chief of staff for Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D-Cobble Hill).
If the transit authority is strapped for cash, Nelson added, “We’ll work with them to find the money [in Albany].”
Councilman Bill DeBlasio (D–Park Slope) said a promise isn’t good enough this time.
“As Brooklyn becomes increasingly popular, the MTA must be proactive about adding service to accommodate growth,” DeBlasio said.
©2008 The Brooklyn Paper
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