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…
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
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*
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.
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*
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.
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.
benson….and they tend to save much more money and use it to buy a home, usually, ALL cash.
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*
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.
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.