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March 11, 2009
Transit Overload for Brooklyn
The L Train isn't the only train that's gotten overloaded in recent years as a result of Brooklyn's burgeoning popularity, but it's been the hardest hit. The L line had the most number of stations among the Top 50 fastest growing stations around the city, followed by the N train, according to the recent report from the Center for an Urban Future. The Bedford L stop, which gets a lot of attention for its crowdedness, ranked 11th in Brooklyn in terms of rate of change over the past decade: Brooklyn's original hipster station saw an increase of 111% between 1998 and 2008, placing it behind the Avenue U and 8th Avenue N train stops as well as the York Street F train. The Bedford L is still almost unrivaled in terms of absolute number of riders, with over 18,000 on an average weekday. Overall, Brooklyn had 51 of the 111 stations in New York City that saw ridership rise at least 50 percent over the past decade. As the report points out, all of this data is particularly scary in light of the potential MTA cutbacks. Gulp.
Report: Transit Overload [Center for an Urban Future]
Transit Overload in Brooklyn Confirmed by Center for an Urban Future
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Comments
These figures would lend support to a belief that brooklyn home prices are somewhat more immune from the price falls that Queens, the Bronx, AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY are seeing.
[Waiting for an intelligent comment from Whuh, BHO & cornerbodega now]
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 11, 2009 10:08 AM
This was a fascinating story to read. I work in Brooklyn and so avoided a lot of the commute nightmare. When I needed to go downtown for a meeting, I always wondered how people could stand it - the crowds!
It's so satisfying to read about something you've noticed anecdotally for a while.
Posted by: infinitejester at March 11, 2009 10:09 AM
where the r train at? oh that's right! the R isnt a giant mess of a commute like the grody L and F.
*r*
(love my R train)
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 10:13 AM
Actually - in the last straphangers survey the R and W were voted the worst in the system. Good luck getting the R on the weekend or in inclimate weather.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 10:15 AM
are you kidding me? the R is the WORST train.
while generally ok during the morning rush (although i waited 10+ minutes for one to show up this morning), service drops off pretty dramatically and way too early.
i can't count how many times i've waited at pacific st for 15 minutes while 4 express trains come through before an R rolls in, then announces that it's making express stops.
Posted by: 11215 at March 11, 2009 10:18 AM
Going back to the new statistics: they really verify the two sources of population growth in Brooklyn: the rise of the professional class in "Brownstone Brooklyn" and immigration in formerly white ethnic areas like Bensonhurst and Gravesend.
Note that 4 of the 10 stops with the largest increase in patronage are in the Bensonhurst and Gravesend stops of the "N" line. This increased usage refelects the surge in Chinese and Russian immigrants in these areas. These immigrants tend to use the subway more than the older population.
Posted by: benson at March 11, 2009 10:24 AM
i've been taking the R twice a day everyday since july and only had a problem ONCE where i had to stop at atlantic instead of union. i think people just like to complain about trains.
honestly i dont know about weekends on weekends if im going out and need the train i just walk to atlantic.
i think the worst trains are:
the 1 - (it's often known as the "fugly train" cuz most of the passengers are pretty busted) but it's still fairly reliable except on weekends.
The L - while it usually has the most hot people on it, it's a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE overcrowded train and it has that terrible new lighting. ive said it before but i prefer the orange amber lighting of the old trains. the lighting on the new trains shows everyones complexion flaws!
the 7 - i dont ride this train often but everyone i work with complains how horrible it is (packed wise anyway)
the J - dont take it that often but it's definitely the litter train of the mta. and it always smells like soda and pee.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 10:28 AM
benson....and they tend to save much more money and use it to buy a home, usually, ALL cash.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 11, 2009 10:28 AM
benson - totally good point. I'm surprised the N wasn't percentage-wise higher.
And I'm kind of surprised to see these particular L stops - New Lots and Atlantic.
Posted by: infinitejester at March 11, 2009 10:32 AM
Actually - the R sucks pretty bad. I take the L from Bedford to the R at Union Square and eventually get off at Prince.
I much prefer the L - sure it will be a little crowded, but not if you get on at the back of the train (away from the transfer to the G at Lorimer)
The R? At Union Square, there's typically 3 N/Q Trains that pass before an R shows up. This morning I waited 15 minutes for an R - which I assume is because there was "precipitation" outside.
Not to mention my friends in Astoria who rely on it on a regular basis, and have nothing but horror stories.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 10:42 AM
i must have crazy mad luck with the train then, or i am taking it at the exact right time (825ish and 530). there is always a seat. ALWAYS. dirty hipster we get off at the same stop! i get off at the prince street stop!
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 10:58 AM
Yeah - I like the R train for the same reason (always a seat). I typically take it after rush hour so it's not bad, but I remember when I was couch crashing in Astoria and it was miserable, but if it works for you that's cool.
High Five Rob - I think we also work on the same block as well, I recall you mentioning you work on Spring.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 11:01 AM
yep spring and broadway. i sell hot dogs and post from blackberry. (just kidding about that last part). tho that would actually be fun!
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 11:06 AM
hahaha - i'm on spring and crosby.
Have you ever seen that weird euro/hipster who walks around here dressed like a fool and carrying an old school boombox blasting weird music? He is typically hanging out on the benches infront of Balthazar (like right now)
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 11:14 AM
OMG PLEase tell me that is not you. i've laughed at him so many times. does he even work? he literally just walks around soho ALL day up and down with his boombox strutting around in spandex jeans and a hat and he just scowls at people. seriously, sorry if that's you and i offended you, tho something tells me he doesnt care.
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 11:18 AM
dirty hipster since you work right around the corner from me go into the methadone clinic thread here to discuss the methadone clinic near us. im pretty accurate right?
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 11:20 AM
haha - that's not me thank god. Although I'm sure he's insanely wealthy and has a sweet loft in a cast-iron buildilng near by. :(
Posted in the meth thread.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 11:33 AM
"These figures would lend support to a belief that brooklyn home prices are somewhat more immune from the price falls that Queens, the Bronx, AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY are seeing."
Dave -- these figures lend support to the belief that a lot of us got priced out of Manhattan and need to commute into the city everyday.
If Manhattan prices fall faster than Brooklyn prices, moving back across the east river could start making sense for a lot of people.
While some former Manhattanites will have fallen in love with Brooklyn and never leave again, many others will be open to moving back.
From my perspective, Manhattan prices haven't fallen enough.
Yet.
Posted by: northsloperenter at March 11, 2009 1:31 PM
haha dipster - i like it.
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend as I have a vacation planned to India. High Five!!
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 1:42 PM
d hipster.....if its the same guy I think it is, he starts his mornings at the corner of 43rd & lexington. Arrives around 7:30-8:00 and gets revved up!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 11, 2009 3:46 PM
haha funny dave - i assumed he was a local soho/nolita bored euro hipster - but maybe he commutes down to the scene that is the balthazar benches!!
Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 4:53 PM
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