I have no more puns left as the M pulls down a C-

Continuing the grand tradition of C-range grades from the Rider Report Card, the M – that rarely-used Nassau Street Local – received a C-minus from its riders. One day, the MTA will break this stretch of C grades, and we will celebrate.

The lonely M with just 75 riders on Facebook’s Subway Status application is seen only fleetingly during rush hour in Manhattan. Only seven trains at most run an hour on the M, and the train spends the time from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. running as a shuttle from Metropolitan Ave. to Myrtle Ave. From 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., it reaches Chambers St. and during peak hours, extends to Bay Parkway.

As such, only 1360 riders responded to this survey, but that should constitute a sample random enough to get an a good enough picture of the train. Forgetting for a minute that these surveys are largely self-selected and less than scientific, let’s look at the complaints. Top ten improvements please:

1. Reasonable wait times for trains
2. Minimal delays during trips
3. Station announcements that are easy to hear
4. Train announcements that are easy to hear
5. Cleanliness of stations
6. Adequate room on board at rush hour
7. Sense of security in stations
8. Sense of security on trains
9. Cleanliness of subway cars
10. Station announcements that are informative

Rare are the times when I ride the M. If the train pulls into DeKalb during rush hour, and I’m heading to my gym near Union St., I’ll enjoy the Nassau Street Local for two stops. I’ve never had much of a problem with it, but the old R42 cars certainly don’t lend themselves to cleanliness or good PA systems.

On that end, those J/M/Z cars are due to be retired soon and replaced with spiffy new cars. So the MTA will get some points back there. As it stands, the M could use some improvements. After the jump, the full grade breakdown. For those keeping score at home, that’s three C-minuses, two C’s and a D for the MTA.