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L Train Ruled Best by Straphangers Campaign

2008_07_ltrain.jpg
Photograph of the L train platform at Bedford by tinatinatina on Flickr

In its annual State of the Subways Report, the Straphangers Campaign said the L train did the best while the W train was the worst. How is that possible?

  • The Straphangers Campaign found that the L did the best out of all lines on measures of "regularity of service and announcements" and well on "frequency of scheduled service, delays caused by mechanical breakdowns and the percentage of dirty cars." But it was below average on "a chance of getting a seat during rush hour."
  • At the other end, the W "has a low level of scheduled service and performs below average on four other measures: regularity of service, car breakdowns, car cleanliness and announcements." And it also performs below average on "a chance of getting a seat during rush hour."
The 7 train was second best, doing well on "frequency of scheduled service, regularity of service, delays caused by mechanical breakdowns and chance of getting a seat during rush hour," but its cons were dirtiness and adequate announcements. NY1 spoke to L train riders, who who agreed the train was pretty good--"It's reliable, and it comes frequently, and it's clean." Here's are the rankings of all the lines (the Straphangers calculates a "Metrocard rating"--the higher, the better):
2008_07_rankings.jpg

For more detail on your line, look here. Unfortunately, the Straphangers also found that car breakdowns also increased--there were 156,624 miles between breakdowns in 2006, which dropped to 149,646 miles between breakdowns in 2007. And last year, the 1 train was named the best line.

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Comments [rss]

  • duckert

    you folks would have loved it back in 70's This is New York city REMEMBER!

  • increble_plum

    Are we talking about the same L train here? The line with the rush hour delays? (not nearly as bad as the F, though)

  • KiljoyWasHere

    The 6 rating so highly is a joke.

    During rush hours it takes at least one, usually two, trains going by before there is room for another passenger to physically fit in the train.

    And when it rains . . . the train just gives up on running entirely.

  • KhuntienNang

    i used to live along 7 line, and work along L line. I have to say i like those lines. L is relatively clean if you compare to many other lines, sometimes it does stink, but which subway line doesnt? most L line, if not all, are new cars. It does get crowded during rush hour, but again, that normal and happens to many other lines too. and my, the line is very frequent especially on rush hour. 7 train is quite frequent too, yes it gets crowded, although i think it doesnt get as crowded as L.

    i used to live along N, and that line sucks. same thing as R, i hope they are more frequent.

    now i live along F, and it's decent.

  • soccerposeur

    I lived on the L train for a year, and it was the worst train for quality of life. I used to think the F was bad, but now I embrace it every morning.

    The L Clean? possibly, but it smells awful, and it's not a people smell. ..a chemical thing since the cars are new? L is out of service often and frequently doesn't run past Lorimer. people reek of alcohol, and it doesn't matter what time of day. the L train has the worst drinking problem.4) the cars move in f-ing slow motion. has no one else noticed this??

  • Sammy the Bull

    N/W rider here. When I first started taking this train years ago I was dreading the agonizing waits I'd have to endure (at least, according to my Astoria pals.) However, after a rough start, service has never been as horrible as I imagined it to be. In fact, recently its been getting better.

    Although its nice to get new cars, here's a word to the wise. Just make sure you look twice before you plop yourself down on a seat. The homeless have been enjoying them as well in the week hours of the AM. Coming home the other day some fragrant fellow took up residence in a corner seat and made himself ultra-comfy by removing his shoes and thoughfully placing them under his seat. The term executive rolling flop house came to mind...

  • The Edge

    Let's not forget the rather large percentage of preachers and beggars on the A/C/E... which is just like icing on the cake.

  • MT

    The 1 train generally rocks. I rarely have a problem and usually get a seat. Granted I'm inbound at 7:30 a.m. and outbound at 7:30 p.m. so I have no idea what it's like when it's overloaded with rush hour people. But you can pretty much time exactly when you're going to get to the ferry on that train. A remarkable feat for the MTA no doubt.

  • sourus

    I cant believe the N did so well. I live in Bensonhurst and on the weekends it almost never runs normally...if at all. Also getting the N in the city is terrible... Most days i have to let 4 R&W trains pass before a N train comes.

    I agree with the person who said the old trains have more seating. I hate the new trains...they also smell kinda funny.

  • Art Vandelay

    The "quality of announcements" part is total bullshit. All they do is play the same loud, grating thing over and over -- and it's just a repetition of the information that's already on the screens. Some conductors will play those nagging "rules of the subway" announcements over and over again.

    And by the way, if there IS a delay, there will be no substantive announcement as to why or how long.

  • sarahlucy

    pffft, the L. Yeah it's usually on time, but sucks if you have to PEE and are forced to wait through three trains during the end of evening rush hour just to be able to squeeze on (this didn't happen to me yesterday or anything...)

    i've been living on the g for two months and haven't had a lot of serious problems. every once in a while there's your 20 minute wait, but that's usually late night on weekends, or sunday evening or some such. it's actually pretty great for morning rush hour. i live in bed stuy and can be in midtown via e/v in as little as 25-30 minutes.

  • plk779

    Yeah the E train can suck it. I often have to let a few pass me by at Queens Plaza due to way too many people, and there's a hell of a lot of busted A/Cs on there.

  • JRod5417

    dev- I'm not surprised you can get a seat on the F if you are taking it from far in Brooklyn. However, by the time it makes its way to Carroll Gardens, it is often packed to the point where you cannot get on. The F train also gets very dirty later in the day as rush hour commuters feel free to toss bottles and the occasional slice of processed cheese on the few seats that are empty.

  • jgee

    I take the G so I don't have to ride the L.

  • osmium

    i live on the N/W in astoria, and i actually prefer the W's, because the older model trains seem better to me. perhaps clunky and dark, but don't they have more seats? or am i imagining that?

  • Steven

    Where are the Queens commuters here? Try to ride the E daily and it's way worst then most lines in the city. The E train is dirty, broken ACs most of the time and it's the oldest train running in the system today (built in the mid 60s).

  • spiritross

    The crowds though is the only problem with the L train now that they have increased train frequency and stopped the shuttle buses

    Almost all trains are crowded at some part of the day

    But most don't come every 5 minutes like the L does

    Time is money

    If you are looking for personal space, buy a car and move to LA

  • dev

    I'm shocked that so many are having problems with the F...I only take it into Manhattan in the mornings from pretty far out in Brooklyn...always get a seat...always clean...

  • MisterTissue

    I'd like to meet the people who are getting all these supposed seats on inbound morning rush hour Q trains. I live at Parkside, which isn't TOO far out...but I get a seat in the mornings once every two weeks if I'm lucky...and usually once a week I have to let a train pass b/c it's too crowded for standing.

  • dustyrebel

    Lies, lies, lies!

    The L train has become so impossible to get on, that I stopped taking it two years ago.

    It may come on time, but you can squeeze on that clean but absurdly crowded train.

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