F Train Woes and Platform Chatter
As of this morning, local blogger Gary Reilly has collected 3,193 signatures on an online petition that calls for express service on the F line to Brooklyn — and an extension of the V’s local service into the borough. At a rally last week, Councilman Bill de Blasio expressed his agreement: “I keep looking at…
As of this morning, local blogger Gary Reilly has collected 3,193 signatures on an online petition that calls for express service on the F line to Brooklyn — and an extension of the V’s local service into the borough. At a rally last week, Councilman Bill de Blasio expressed his agreement: “I keep looking at the express track and wondering why it isn’t being used. We have to move this as quickly as humanly possible.” Of course, when it comes to the F train, speed isn’t usually an option. Transit officials say there isn’t enough demand for an express on the F line, and even if they were to take on this project, they wouldn’t be able to start before 2012, after they’re done restoring F train stations.
In other subway news, the Post reports that cell phone ringtones could be coming to a platform near you. The MTA is making progress on bringing service to underground stations, and according to spokesman Jeremy Soffin, “Something could happen in the next couple of months.” At this point, there are no plans to extend service into subway tunnels, which is good news for those of us who prefer a quiet commute.
— Kara Zuaro
Rally to Make the F Go Express [NYDN]
Can I Get an Express F? [The Brooklyn Paper]
Blogger Launches Petititon [Streetsblog]
MTA Working to Bring Cell Service Underground [NY Post]
Photo by GioVision
I’m not Eliza but have you ever tried pressing one of those “help” buttons. i was in an elevator that got stuck for 10 minutes. we pressed the “help/talk” button and TEN MINUTES later a reluctant MTA employee came on the line. I’m glad it wasn’t a dire emergency.
WTF 11:45? New Yorkers are entitled to have no respect for other people because, hmmm, well, you’ll have to explain that to me instead of making it my responsibility to deal with it.
“I ride the Q train, so I get to hear all the incredibly important conversations of “we just passed Church Ave, I will be there in 5 minutes” . The second the Q hits either the bridge, or the above ground stations, all the annoying ringtones start kicking in, and everyone has a cell phone on their ear. ”
get an ipod, dude. you are one of those complain about anything people…
tune it out man. or move to the burbs.
To say there “isn’t enough demand” just shows how totally out of touch the MTA is with the riders. Anyone who rides the F during rush hour knows that this is far from true. Wasn’t it great how Kalikow used to take his chauffeur-driven Lincoln everywhere? Because if he used public transportation it would be oh-so-inconvenient and he might be LATE! These MTA folks should be forced to at least ride the subways and buses like the rest of us once in a while.
Sper – You’re a dreamer. And ignoring history. City will spend money from congestion pricing as it sees fit and subways will only become more crowded.
TA has already said take decades to do some improvements.
The higher-ups don’t care about your comfort, etc. Only trying to reduce traffic so they can move around midtown faster in their limos above ground and keep all the ‘bridge and tunnel’ people below ground.
The best way to get signficant improvements in mass transit is to have congestion pricing for cars. It’s vital that everybody call SHeldon Silver 212 312-1420 and Joseph Bruno 518 455-3191 and tell them to support congestion pricing. If Albany does not act by July 16, NYC will lose $500 million in federal grant money. Congestion pricing will be very, very good for New York City. Please make the call.
I ride the Q train, so I get to hear all the incredibly important conversations of “we just passed Church Ave, I will be there in 5 minutes” . The second the Q hits either the bridge, or the above ground stations, all the annoying ringtones start kicking in, and everyone has a cell phone on their ear.
I used to have to stuff myself on the F train at Carroll, to make it the couple of stops to Jay to change for the A train.
Some days it felt like there should be one of those white gloved shovers that they have in Tokyo to pack as many people into their trains as possible.
Eliza (9:52am),
I’m very sorry to hear about your friend falling ill on the train – glad to hear she’s ok.
If she fell ill on the train, why not signal and communicate with the conductor with the emergency intercom? They could have called the paramedics who could have met up with you and your friend at the next stop.
Probably better than trying to dial 911 on a cell phone.
not enough demand for express servrice???
are the f8cking kidding me????
dismantle the MTA, the money stealing dirtbags