4 and 5 Train Delays - How Bad?

Time is but a concept to the MTA, as construction to the 4 and 5 Lexington Avenue lines began yesterday, and the MTA said everything, in spite of the anticipated delays, was "running smoothly." There should be two months of delays, but considering that the last time the MTA worked on the line was 1957, we're not holding our breath. Some riders they couldn't tell there were delays or more crowded trains (there will be less trains during peak commuting hours), but Gothamist most enjoyed how one platform conductor explained the situation to AM New York: "It's like a conga line. As soon a train leaves 86th Street it creates a conga line of trains," what with trains waiting for other trains to clear. The Lexington Avenue line is the most congested in the system (it is the only East Side access train) -- keep dreaming about the Second Avenue Subway, will you?

Did you take the 4 or 5 train and have to wait more than 10 minutes? And the MTA wants A/C riders to avoid transferring at Fulton Street, because of the Lexington Avenue mess.

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By Jen Chung in News on April 4, 2006 11:25 AM

Comments [rss]

Zach

Those are very cool watches. Where can we get them?

Vinny

My 45 minute commute took an hour and a quarter. If that's smoothly, then the MTA has some pretty damned low standards.

Jennifer

I take the 6 and I can say for sure there's been an increase in the crowding these past two mornings. Overflow from impatient 4/5 riders, perhaps? Whatever the reason, it's making the 2nd Avenue limited bus look much more appealing than it usually is.

rikomatic

Fulton St Station on the weekends is always full of confused and pissed off people trying to get home. At least there always seems to be an MTA employee around to direct people to the J train or some other alternative. Poor folks.

tien

weren't the express trains already slow during rush hour? are they even slower now??

Alliterator

This is insane! These trains are congested with people as it is and are widely used. This is going to make the waiting even worse and we are all going to be packed as sardines even in non-rush hour hours.

Remember what happened in late 2004 with those massive delays? Utter chaos!