The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will conduct a comprehensive review of the G train, raising hopes that improvements to the maligned line won’t be far behind.
The MTA announced its plans to study the cross-borough route’s performance and infrastructure after state senators Daniel Squadron (D–Brooklyn Heights) and Martin Dilan (D–Bedford-Stuyvesant) hopped onboard a campaign by the commuting advocacy group the Riders Alliance that called for the implementation of free above-ground transfers, better communication about service changes, and more frequent trains.
The news comes after G straphangers scored a huge victory on the line when the MTA made permanent a now-beloved extension that provides service to Fourth Avenue–Ninth Street, Seventh Avenue, 15th Street–Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue — linking North and Brownstone Brooklyns with one-seat service.
But there may still be ways to better the four-car line.
“We had just increased the G and were still getting complaints about it, so we agreed to do the review,” said MTA spokesman Charles Seaton, who added that anyone can request a line review, but that doesn’t mean the MTA will follow through.
This is the third time Squadron has asked the MTA for such a study: the other two resulted in improvements to the F and L lines, respectively. Both times, the changes took about 11 months to implement after the start of the review.
Williamsburg straphanger Matt Arancio hopes the review will lead to more service, greater dependability, and shorter waits.
“People need to get to work and get on with their lives and the fact that there’s an unreliable train is a huge issue,” he said.
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.
