Gothamist: T.G.I. Broken-Down-L-Train Friday!

90210

Mon, 15 May 2006 14:38:40 -0500

They were saying "it's all about Red Hook" 3 years ago. It never happened. Red Hook was over before it began. Besides, a shitty train beats zero public transportation. I bike, myself.

9000

Fri, 12 May 2006 16:38:35 -0500

did you find out that "it's all about red hook now" after reading a five year old issue of new york?

BackyardChef

Fri, 12 May 2006 16:16:33 -0500

The problem with the L will probably not be solved by smoothing out the robo-driver issues because it was never intended to handle the density of passengers that is constantly growing....besides, it's all about Red Hook now people...WillyB is over....

Ivan

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:33:42 -0500

I get the L at the Grand St. stop. When there's problems, I catch the Q54 to Marcy/B'way and take the JMZ over the bridge. I just wish the MTA would admit that this 10+ years of trouble with the L train is a direct result of the tribal warfare between the CHUDs and the Morlocks. When will albino mutants learn to live in peace?

Chris

Fri, 12 May 2006 14:23:04 -0500

Why didn't they recommend taking the L to Myrtle and transferring to the M, which goes into Manhattan during rush hour? It's a lot closer and easier than going all the way to ghetto West New York.

Toby

Fri, 12 May 2006 14:00:07 -0500

I am wondering the cause of the smoke. I recall reading that in the 1960s when the TA tried an automated shuttle train on the 42nd Street Shuttle it mysteriously caught fire after the union objected to the tests. Given the fact that the L is the test bed for automation on the system, one can only wonder.

gimme

Fri, 12 May 2006 13:51:02 -0500

i am unemployed and take it easy and thus i have no commute so ha to you yupster looooosers

mihow

Fri, 12 May 2006 13:19:37 -0500

People, there is a lot more to the L than Williamsburg! Come on, people! We pay very little where we live, well, compared to Manhattan.

Hunter

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:50:20 -0500

The L train is extremely hot or cold. That's why I call it the "L(over) train" - when it's good to you, it's real good, but when it's not, it's cruel as hell. The best way to get into the city if you live off the Graham stop and the L train's acting up is to take the B43 bus (which runs, during the day, literally every three minutes or so) south to the JMZ. It's a good little hike from the Graham stop to the JMZ, but on the bus it only takes a minute or so.

Matt

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:38:27 -0500

I moved out of Bushwick a couple years ago just because of the L train. Seriously. And it was the best thing I ever did.

Reg!

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:17:33 -0500

I detest the J/M/Z hate! Might not be the prettiest line, but it gets you from point A to B, and ive had a minimal amount of problems. This is coming from living off the A/C, which was overcrowded, and erratic in its times besides rush hour. The G isn't bad, if they actually ran it like a NYC subway train instead of an out of state amtrack/LIRR train that runs every hour or two.

jayKayEss

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:06:39 -0500

I agree. Williamsburg is getting so expensive that you might as well just live in Manhattan. Although I guess the cheap-seekers are moving futher out on the L. I spent a year in Bushwick, and the L train made my life miserable.

Alex

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:03:38 -0500

I don't live off the L any more, but before it went into majo construction mode, and before everyone moved to brooklyn from the east village, it was hands down the best train in the city. Clean, on time, and fast. Once they get all their robo-train stuff finished, I imagine all this ballyhoo will be quickly forgotten.

Samantha T

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:43:53 -0500

I can't believe people pay top-dollar to live in places serviced nearly exclusively by the L. I love in a less-than-hip part of Brooklyn that's considered far away by many, but at least I have the Q, B, or F to choose from.

late girl

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:38:20 -0500

I waited for about 30 minutes at the Lorimer stop this morning. When it finally came, very few people could actually fit on that train, so we had to wait for the next (which was mercifully not that far behind). There was no information provided by anyone at the station as to what was happening, how long the wait would be, etc.- had there been, I could have left and walked to the JMZ (which would have been a pain, but at least I would have gotten to work!). I didn't want to leave- the train always comes right after you leave- so I just waited around with everyone else. The MTA and station attendants really need to work on getting more information to passengers, especially in situations like this!

Dirk

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:36:34 -0500

This is what happens when robots control the subway.

mihow

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:33:26 -0500

My husband and I waited on the Graham Avenue platform for 45 minutes. Finally, at about 9:30, a train went by use totally empty and kept going. I imagine that was the smoky broken down train? Who knows. Damn train. We finally squeezed onto the next train. People were oh so grumpy. We joked about starting a hipster riot, but what would that do? I just don't understand how a train can consistently be so awful.

bees

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:33:17 -0500

the j/m/z is a great line aside from its dirty stations. I take it every day within the same 5 minute window before and after work.

Jen

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:21:46 -0500

People always talk shit about the G. It takes a while, but it always shows up. It lacks the uncertaintly of the L.

cdjames

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:21:19 -0500

Wait for the summer when there's NO service between boroughs on the L. I'd recommend takin the bus or G up to Courthouse Sq in QNS and grabbing the Manhattan bound 7/E/V there.

Angry Asian

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:14:04 -0500

The L train is one of the worst trains in NYC next to the G/J/M/Z. I'm glad I don't live off that line.

Chris

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:13:31 -0500

I feel lucky, usually I'm the one having problems with the L, and I had none this morning. In fact, there was an unusally large amount of elbow room this morning when I got on at First Ave.

phip

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:12:28 -0500

ah, another reason to ride a bike in this city!!!!

threetoedsloth

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:05:42 -0500

They gave us that lame-o "go back to Broadway Junction" advice once before, as I recall, and it's the worst advice ever! The best thing to do is to walk south to the JMZ. Broadway Junction is halfway to the airport! If you go back there and then transfer, the sun will be setting and you still won't be at work!