Apparently, city subway riders can't make up their damn minds. First it's all bad service this and unfair fare hikes that, but when it comes to sticking it to the man in a survey, everyone is having a grand ol' time in the tubes! According to a survey taken by the MTA, 71% of subway passengers felt satisfied or very satisfied with service, and 77% of riders were happy with the the line they use the most. The MTA itself said over the summer (when this survey took place) that service is declining. So, is the MTA being selective with its numbers, or has Stockholm Syndrome finally taken hold? more ›

Last month, the Straphangers Campaign released the results of their "State of the Subways" study, which said that subway service was getting better. However, they were only able to test service on three out of six measures, and the MTA's comprehensive report back in July said service was declining. New statistics from the Transit Committee Meeting [pdf] confirm that downward trend, showing that trains are running slower and breaking down more than they did last year. MTA Board member Doreen Frasca told the Post, "September does not look like it was a home run for us. It feels like this is not going in the right direction." more ›

Though NYC Transit won't have to organize the "largest shuttle bus operation ever" like they did last weekend, getting around with the subway will still be a hassle this weekend. Some of the changes include: more ›

Good news if you live on the L, the S, or the Staten Island Railroad: you will actually be able to get where you want this weekend (as long as you stick to your line). The rest of us may take the time to get to know our own neighborhoods, as the MTA has "planned work" on every other line. Here are some of the disruptions: more ›

Members of the state Assembly called the MTA "disgusting and immoral" for planning to eliminate free student MetroCards as part of a package of transit cuts intended to plug a major budget shortfall. "Simply stated, we ask that you immediately withdraw the threat to student fares," wrote Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester) and 18 other politicians in a letter sent to the MTA board. more ›

Unless lawmakers can come up with new ways to fund the MTA, the transit agency might be forced to raise its base fare to $2.60 and increase the cost of unlimited monthly MetroCards to more than $100, according to a new study. The report reveals that even if the MTA implements far-reaching service cuts this year and ups fares by the planned 7.5 percent next year, it would still fall short of balancing its budget without additional funding. more ›

In order to avoid far-reaching subway cuts that would eliminate the M and W lines and cause trains to become less frequent and more crowded, the MTA needs about $18 million—the same amount a deadbeat advertising company owes the transit agency. An MTA audit revealed that Titan Outdoor Holdings has come up short on its monthly payments for almost a year, but the MTA is afraid that recouping the money might bankrupt the company, causing the agency to net even less revenue. more ›

"It's a double whammy," Gene Russianoff, staff lawyer for the Straphangers Campaign, told Gothamist. "You'll have to wait longer for a train, and you'll have a reduced chance of finding a seat." According to MTA documents [PDF], instead of attempting to accommodate 100 percent of off-peak passengers with seats, the agency will aim to fill the cars with 125 percent of the "seated load." Commuters can expect more crowded trains during all off-peak hours on the 7 and L lines, midday and evenings on the 1 and A lines, and Sundays on the J and M lines. And the number of seat-less commuters is actually expected to exceed the proposed maximum of 18 standing passengers on F and Q lines at certain times on Saturdays, and on 1 and N trains at certain times on Saturdays and Sundays. more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] 8:30 a.m. Eep, NYC Transit is warning, "Due to a rail condition at the Queensboro Plaza Station, there is no service in both directions on the N trains from the Queensboro Plaza Station to the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard Station," plus the "W train service has been suspended the entire line." There are shuttle trains running local from the Queensboro Plaza Station to the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard Station and shuttle trains running express from Ditmars Boulevard to Queensboro Plaza, but "As an alternative, customers are advised to take Q69, Q101 or Q102 bus making nearby station stops." more ›

Interesting: The Daily News reports that driver demand to use MTA bridges and tunnels has fallen 4.8% when comparing last month's figures (25 million) to October 2007 (when there were 26.3 million drivers). Another stat: Traffic on the Manhattan crossings was down 4% between September and October. One hypothesis is that recent layoffs mean there's less reason to head into Manhattan. However, average weekday subway ridership increased 4.3% "in the 12 months ending Sept. 30," according to the Post. Yeah, cutting subway service is just what we need. more ›

Perhaps because the MTA signs trying explain weekend subway service diversions are confusing--like this weekend F service sign--the MTA has put up some maps to try to explain changes, too. For instance, here's a map explaining service updates for the 2 and 5 lines. more ›