Over the last few weeks, we here at Second Ave. Sagas have noted the inaccuracies of the MTA’s official service advisories. A few readers have left updates in the comments of unposted service changes, and a few media outlets — The Times’ City Room blog, for one — have linked to me post on the topic.
As the information from the MTA grows more unreliable (or less reliable?), some straphangers are putting out their best efforts to combat this problem. To that end, allow me to point the way to Shawn Lynch’s new site Subway Weekender. Shawn is using this site as a way to bring easy-to-understand service changes to the public by releasing a map on Thursday of what the subway service will look like for the weekend.
The base line for weekend service changes is his Normal Service map. With no B, V or W trains and other various normal weekend cutbacks, this map shows what service would look like if the MTA were not doing construction. On a week to week basis, Lynch will update that map with the changes, and each week, I’ll provide a direct link to the map.
For this weekend’s changes, point your browser over to this PDF file, and keep reading for the updates. Lynch’s site should prove to be a great resource for straphangers stymied by the MTA’s myriad service changes each weekend.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, two branches of free shuttle buses replace 1 trains between 137th Street and 215th Street, one traveling via Broadway and the other via St. Nicholas Avenue, due to installation of communication cables, pre-rehabilitation survey of Dyckman Street station and structural maintenance work on the elevated structure between Dyckman and 215th Streets. – Um, confused much?
All weekend, the 2 and 3 trains are running express through Mahattan. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, the last stop for some Bronx-bound 6 trains is 125th Street due to track chip-out north of East 143rd Street.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, Manhattan-bound A and C trains run on the F line from Jay Street to West 4th Street due to signal work at Chambers Street.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, downtown A and C trains run express from 125th Street to 59th Street-Columbus Circle due to communications cable installation.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, Jamaica Center-bound E and R trains run express from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to electrical conduit installation.
From 10 a.m. to midnight, Sunday, July 20, Jamaica Center-bound E and R trains skip Northern Blvd. due to stairway repairs.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, downtown F trains skip 23rd and 14th Streets due to electrical cable installation.
From 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, there are no G trains between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Take the E or R trains instead.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 20, there are no G trains between Bedford-Nostrand Avs. and Smith-9th Sts. Free shuttle buses provide alternate service between Bedford-Nostrand Avs. and Jay Street-Borough Hall stations. This is due to hydraulics and plumbing work. – So basically the G is making a whopping nine stops this weekend. How useful.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, Manhattan-bound N trains run on the D line from Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue to 36th Street (Brooklyn) due to track panel installation.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, Brooklyn-bound NR trains rerouted over the Manhattan Bridge from Canal Street to DeKalb Avenue due to tunnel rehab between Whitehall Street and DeKalb Avenue and station rehab and construction of underground connector near Lawrence Street. – Be careful with this one. It seems to be true only some of the time.