By Forum Staff
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday announced subway service improvements coming to the N and R lines on weekdays, beginning Monday, Aug. 28.
Customers will experience shorter wait times with trains arriving every eight minutes instead of every 10 minutes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. These service improvements are made possible by $35 million in funding included in the Fiscal Year 2024 New York State Budget and are expected to benefit the 180,000 customers who ride the N and R lines midday during the week.
New York City Transit is responding directly to “Customers Count” surveys that have consistently included rider feedback requesting decreased wait times along the N and R lines with satisfaction rates below the system-wide average. Customers also have reported in surveys that they would be more likely to continue to ride the subway system if their wait times were reduced.
“Customers on the N and R lines have told us loud and clear in surveys that more frequent weekday service would improve their satisfaction, and I am thrilled to say that we are delivering just that,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “Thanks to historic funding secured in the state budget, we are able to provide more frequent and reliable mid-day service to hundreds of thousands of customers in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, making the subway an even faster option to get around New York City.”
These service additions follow previous service increases on the G, J, and M lines that began on July 2, with weekend trains arriving every eight to 10 minutes instead of 10 to 12 minutes. On Monday, Aug. 7, C trains began running every eight minutes instead of 10 minutes on weekdays. And on Saturday, Aug. 12, 1 and 6 trains began operating every six minutes on the weekends, down from every eight minutes.
Scheduled for July 2024 are weekday service increases on the B, D, J, and M lines. The service increase would have trains arriving every eight minutes. Additionally, service would be added to the 3 and 5 lines on weekends, with trains arriving every 10 minutes.
“My district of essential workers are going to benefit greatly from increased service on the N and R,” said State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights). “We fought hard for this in this year’s budget, and I’m thrilled that we have delivered this progress. We’re going to keep pushing until we achieve six minute service across the entire system.”
“Every day New Yorkers utilize the subway system to get to work, go to school, and generally connect to other parts of New York City. They deserve a public transit system they can rely on to get from one location to another. I’m pleased to see system improvements at the N and R train weekdays midday in southern Brooklyn,” added State Sen. Iwen Chu (D-Brooklyn). “I fought alongside my colleagues in the State Legislature and secured critical funding for the MTA. It’s great to see the MTA bring service improvements to southern Brooklyn commuters. No matter the time of day, New Yorkers deserve reliable, safe, and accessible transportation.”
