As the fare hike debate heats up, let’s take a second to ponder something. What if the MTA pushed off this fare hike and never received the money that Richard Brodsky is attempting to bring to the Authority? What if the MTA slid further into debt?
Well, first, we would basically be reliving the 1970s on the subway station. Right now, stations – Columbus Circle, Church Ave., 96th St., Fulton St., to name a few – are all undergoing much-needed renovations. If this funds dry up, the MTA will have two choices. The first would be to cut out renovations and station maintenance. Underground stations would decay; above-ground stations would get dirty.
The other choice is to cut service. While riders keep complaining that they want more frequent service, we have to remember that more trains mean more employees and more miles on a car. All of that translates into more money. How can the MTA, already stretched fairly thin due to years of Pataki neglect, be expected to provide more service without drawing in more money?
If you’re feeling down on the fare hike, just imagine the following weekend service alerts during the week when you’re trying to commute to work during rush hour. Maybe the fare hike isn’t such a bad idea after all.
I have no link for you. The MTA did not release the service advisories in convenient press release form. What follows are the weekend service alerts. If you want to get these delivered to you each week in your e-mail, sign up for the new Know Before You Go program. It’s a New York City Transit effort to alert customers to service changes before they make it to the subway.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m., Monday, October 29, there is no 1 train service between South Ferry and 34th Street. For service to South Ferry, take the 2 or 3 making local stops from 34th Street to Chamber St. A shuttle bus will service South Ferry from Chambers St.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m., Monday, October 29, all 2 & 3 trains run on the local track from 96th Street to Chambers Street due to station rehab work at 96th Street.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m., Monday, October 29, uptown 1, 2 & 3 trains skip 50th, 59th, and 66th Street due to station rehab work at 59th Street.
At all times until 5 a.m. on Monday, November 12, Manhattan-bound 4 trains skip Mosholu Parkway due to station rehabilitation.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28, there is no 5 train service between 149 and East 180 Sts. For service to these stations, take the 2 train instead.
From 4 a.m. on Saturday, October 27 to 10 p.m., on Sunday, October 28, the last stop for some Bronx-bound 6 trains is 125 St. Listen for the announcements on the train.
From 4 a.m. on Saturday, October 27 to 9 p.m., on Sunday, October 28, Bronx-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Ave. to Parkchester.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m., Monday, October 29, free shuttle buses and shuttle train service replace the A between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and the Rockaways due to track panel installation south of Howard Beach-JFK Airport station.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m., Monday, October 29, Manhattan-bound A & C trains run express from Utica Ave to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m., Monday, October 29, downtown A & C trains skip 50, 23, and Spring Sts.
From 11 p.m., Friday, October 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 29 (and weekends through December 31), Bronx-bound D trains run express from 145th Street to Fordham Road due to track/roadbed replacement at 161st Street.
From 10 p.m., Friday, October 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 27, Coney Island-bound D trains run express from 9 Ave to Stillwell Ave.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 28, E trains run in two sections. Trains will run from Jamaica Center to Union Turnpike and from Union Turnpike to World Trade Center.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 29, Manhattan-bound F trains are running as they always should. Manhattan-bound F trains skip Ft Hamilton Pkwy, 15 St-Prospect Park, and 4 Ave.
From 8:30 p.m. Friday, October 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 29, there is no G train service between 71-Continental Avs and Court Sq. In fact, there is no G train service on the weekend between these two stations until further notice.
From 1 a.m. Saturday, October 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 29, there is no J train service over the Williamsburg Bridge. Free shuttle buses replace trains at Hewes St, Marcy Av, and Essex St stations. For service to Brooklyn and Manhattan, transfer between the J and A C or L
at Broadway Junction. For service to Queens, transfer between the J and M at Myrtle Av-Broadway. If you really want to be confused, try to figure out the best routes to nearby stations, as suggested by the MTA.
There is no T train service yet. But here’s to hopin’!
4 comments
I will more for my unlimited card, but only if The MTA states, in writing, that these additional funds will be used to improve service by a measurable degree.
Apparently I can’t type today. I meant “I will pay more…”
If they fail to make that guarantee (as is likely), but raise the fare anyway (as is likely), what will you do then?
Probably just bitch a lot and pay the increased fares.