Shuttle buses: A two-word phrase that is the bane of every subway rider’s existence. When you’re riding along in a nice air conditioned train during the dog days of summer nothing brings more dread to a straphanger than an announcement proclaiming an out-of-service train with the option to transfer to over-packed shuttle buses. For free!
Well, L train riders to “East Williamsburg” and beyond, get ready for some fun in the city. Because when the MTA parties, they party hearty with no service past Lorimer St. and shuttle buses for the masses. amNew York has more:
Shuttles will replace the L from Lorimer to Broadway Junction for the next four weekends, until Aug. 6, according to transit advisories. The changes are due to rehabilitation of the Lorimer station and elevator repairs, according to New York City Transit spokesman James Anyansi.
As weekend crowds poured from the subway at Metropolitan and Union avenues during the steamy afternoon Sunday, workers wearing orange T-shirts and clutching bull horns handed them free transfer tickets and directed them to the bus stop.
On Saturday night, I took the L from Union Square to 1st Ave. At the time, the expensive electronic notification system wasn’t working, and in fact, it was still down this morning. Even worse, the train’s conductor told no one about the shuttle buses. The only sign of a service change came through the electronic route maps; only stations from 8th Ave. to Lorimer St. were lit up. As passengers realized the shuttle buses awaiting them, an audible sigh rolled through the train.
As bad as this is, the MTA has somehow, someway, managed to replace eight-train cars with enough shuttle buses to ferry passengers to the appropriate destinations. While some buses are packed to the gils with people, others sit for a few minutes, half empty. It’s the same philosophy as moving to the rear; if you’re willing to walk (or wait), you can ride in more comfort.
Meanwhile, the kicker in this article came as a good jab the G train. Wrote Magdalene Perez, “One rider said the service was good compared to the G train, where riders sometimes wait an hour without knowing trains had been suspended.”
So there you go, MTA. L train service that terminates two stops into Brooklyn and leads to shuttle bus service is better than the G train. Keep up the good work
3 comments
The L train is 10 cars, for what it’s worth.
I ride the L sometimes, so this is relevant for me! Except I don’t ride it in Brooklyn, so it’s not.
No MG, It’s eight.