Words for the Dying W

When the mock funeral for the Z train took place last week, some wondered why the endangered W wasn't getting any straphanger love. The Observer has a sprawling piece on the line, which is currently on the chopping block, saying "the W’s exit would somewhat coincide with that of the outgoing U.S. president, with whom it appropriately shared an initial, an era (2001-2008) and dismal approval ratings." While they ponder if New Yorkers are better without the "W-orst" train, it could lead to overcrowded N and R trains, which they say are already "overburdened." So is the W worth saving? One man noted: “I think it will be missed when local riders along Broadway and in Astoria realize their train interval just got halved! Otherwise, probably not, it didn’t serve any particularly unique routing (mostly the same as the N + R).”

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on January 21, 2009 2:55 PM

Comments [rss]

themsthebreaks

as an Astorian, I'm more than a little pissed. It already seems like there are more R's than N and W's, this won't help anything.

I hope to God I won't notice it as much as I think I will.

maryba

It's the overcrowding on the N and the R that will be a particular shitstorm--and it will be even worse for N riders, as the proposed changes also include making the N local above Canal at all times.

Brooklynbobby

I live at the 4th stop from Coney Island on the N line. In the morning, when the train gets to my station, it is already standing room only. By the time it gets to 36th Street in Brooklyn, it's ridiculous. I can imagine how it will be when the N crosses the bridge into Manhattan.

neckbeard

nobody else sees that?

RIP to "W" 01-08?

reportsoutof

It will soon be nice to catch the train @ Rector knowing it won't be a W train approaching.

fugothamist

F train is the worst train. Hands down

longacre

It's not as bad as it seems, because the current plan would extend the Q to Astoria when the W dies, but the Q runs much less frequently than the W so it is a loss. Not only that, but unless they add a few more Q trains, the Q will run less frequently than it does already since it has an extra few miles to cover. Basically everyone on the Broadway lines is screwed.

zpk

Actually, the Q train runs slightly more frequently than the W. They both generally run once every ten minutes, but the Q runs once every 6-8 minutes during rush hour. You can see schedules here:

http://mta.info/nyct/service/schemain.htm

barryap

Won't miss it. There's never been a time when the W was more convenient for me then either the N or the R.

Now the 9 train, on the other hand, is still sorely missed.