After New York City Transit finished collecting rider report cards for the No. 7 line, and just beginning doling out cards for the L line, Transit opened up grading for all lines on the MTA Web site. Straphangers are invited to grade their line in English, Spanish, Chinese or a selection of 10 other languages. Transit has only officially opened two lines for grading--one is now closed--but they'll hold your vote on the other 20 until voting for those lines begins.
Now that Viagara-maker Pfizer is completely pulling out of Brooklyn, what's going to happen to the Flushing Avenue stop on the G. Located near the pharmaceutical giant's Williamsburg plant, Pfizer paid for some goodies at the stop, including special intercoms that connected to a private security guard. With Pfizer gone could the G riders be once again be solely reliant on the Transit cops and MTA workers for safety?
-- Chuck Bennett
Two days after amNY’s story on the G train that aired real concerns thatthe line will get even more overcrowded as the population of Brooklyn and Queens boom, this press release comes over:
“Long Island City is about to welcome its first new ground-up residential condominium building since the mid-2001 rezoning, which paved the way for a blossoming of inland neighborhoods from a gritty industrial area to New York’s next great place to live and work. The Echelon Condominium, rising 12 stories above a double-height lobby, is located at 13-11 Jackson Avenue in the heart of the burgeoning area. Sales will officially begin in early September.”
The building has 54 residences, with the cheapest starting at $300,000.
There will be a lot more of these announcement to come and likely more people on the G to follow.
-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com
This obvious parody was just emailed over:
Today's amNY story on the G -- Good Grief -- generated considerable buzz today. Here's the response from MTA New York City Transit:
Chuck Bennett
Staff Writer
amNY
Dear Chuck Bennett:
After reading your G Line article of Tuesday, August 8th, I have a few comments that may leave you just a bit more informed about service along the route. Had your readers been given all of the facts, they too might feel slightly better about the service provided by MTA New York City Transit.
You wrote that G service does not run its full route on a 24-hour basis. However, what you failed to point out is the fact that there is insufficient track capacity on weekdays for five trains along the Queens Boulevard corridor. I also find it unreasonable to complain about the necessity to curtail service while we maintain the system.
As you are aware, we run a 24-hour operation, so some services must be interrupted in order to perform the work that allows us to maintain a safe, well-functioning railroad. While the subway is a durable part of New York City’s infrastructure, it is by no means indestructible. Through our regular maintenance and the MTA’s capital programs, we find ourselves in the position of having to build a subway system while it is operating and moving customers. I guess, however, that a feat most would consider a miracle of coordination would be viewed by you as a purposeful inconvenience.
It must also be taken into consideration that we are working with a system that by and large was designed and built anywhere from 80 to 100 years ago. For the greater part of its route the G, like the L is a two-track railroad. That cannot be changed. As with all of our service, we adjust the regularity to meet ridership levels where feasible.
Since 2001, service levels have been increased during the weekdays and weekends. In fact, in December 2001, we increased the frequency of weekday rush hour G service from 6 trains per hour to eight to nine trains per hour. In addition, we extended the duration of the afternoon peak period so that trains run with greater frequency between approximately 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
We also improved weekend schedules in December 2001, increasing the frequency of Saturday G service from 6 trains per hour to 7_ trains per hour. In February 2004, we further improved weekend schedules by extending the duration of the more frequent Saturday service by an additional 2 hours, to approximately 9:00 p.m., and by increasing the frequency of Sunday G service from 6 trains per hour to 7_ trains per hour.
Yours Truly
Charles Seaton
MTA NYC Transit Director Public Affairs
The month-old mystery sewage leak haunting the G line is baffling the best of the Department of Environmental Protection. Even after a worker twice climbed through the 54 inch pipe of raw sewage the orgin of the leak remains unknown.
“We need to repeat the dye test and probably TV the line again,” DEP spokeswoman Natalie Millner tells The Tracker. By TV, she means another robotic camera goes into the line.
Meanwhile, riders and workers alike have to deal with a funky stank on the G from Flushing Avenue to Broadway.
Yes, that is a picture of the raw sewage above. Provided by the MTA. Believe me, they want DEP to fix the problem as fast as it can.
-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com
Train troubles: Trains are running now but yesterday sure was hellish. Blame Con Ed, the MTA says. [amNY, NY Times]
Good Samaritan: Man collapes onto subway tracks at the W. 57th St./Seventh Ave station and 32-year-old Sonia Delgado of Far Rockaway pulls him out before an oncomng train strikes him. Amazing! I am getting tired of writing stories about people being hit my trains -- three already over the past three months. Hats off to Sonia. [Daily News]
G is for Gross: Something stinky -- sewage that is -- is haunting the G train. [amNY]
Kalikow wants to sell: News quotes a “source” that Chairman Kalikow likes the city’s $500 million bid for the West Side Yards. Looks like “source” is coming out of City Hall so not too surprising. [Daily News]
While on the topic, MTA vice chairman David Mack dodged questions about the yards at the committee meetings yesterday. One other board member says it isn’t expected to be on the agenda next week either.
More heat on HEETS: No friend of the high exit entry turnstile, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. is calling on the attorney general to probe the “deathtraps.” Still unclear if they actually violate state law or not. Meanwhile about 450 “panic bar” emergency exit have been installed with another 1,000 to go. [Daily News]
Money for Mets fans: Upgrades coming to LIRR and subway station that serves Shea Stadium. And a big study will look at major improvements for the new Mets stadium expected to be built in 2009. [amNY]
-- Chuck Bennett
Save the G coalition takes MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow up on his offer to answer rider questions. They e-mail these suggested questions:
“Want to know why the G train is 4 cars, with no extra cars on order? Want to know why G trains come 12 minutes apart - at best -- during rush hours? Want to know why the G never goes through Queens on weekends any more? Want to know why the G's schedule is always changing?”
Again, here’s where you send them: AskKalikow@nydailynews.com or fax them to (212) 643-7831
-- Chuck Bennett
Suffering G and L train riders will get a chance to speak their minds tonight.
Brooklyn’s Community Board One in Greenpoint and Willamsburg is inviting G riders to vent their frustrations and offer suggestions this evening.
Now is the chance to complain about proposed cuts to the G, computer-controlled trains, crowding on the platforms, and all that weekend construction on the L.
TONIGHT, April 18
6:30 p.m.
Harry Van Arsdale High School Auditorium
257 North 6th Street (off Roebling St.)
Brooklyn
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