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Oct. 21, 2019 By Christian Murray
The 7-train was the most efficient line in September, according to the MTA.
The MTA touted a number of subway achievements today and noted that the 7 train experienced a 96 percent on time performance rate during weekdays last month.
The on time performance across the entire system was 82.7 percent on weekdays during September, up from 69.4 percent for the same month in 2018. Seven lines achieved figures in excess of 80 percent—with the 7 line topping the list.
The MTA reported that it was the fourth month in a row that the weekday performance rate was above 80 percent.
The agency also announced that the number of weekday major incidents across the system has dropped, falling from 45 major incidents in September 2019 to a record low of 32 last month.
Furthermore, it noted that average weekday ridership came in at 5.77 million, up 4.5 percent over a year period.
“Once again, I am immensely proud of my brilliant team for relentlessly focusing on the basics and working tirelessly to achieve performance gains for our customers,” said Andy Byford, New York City Transit President.
Byford attributed the success, in part, to the MTA’s ‘Save Safe Seconds’ campaign, which was launched in 2018 and saw subway speeds raised. The campaign followed on from the Subway Action Plan, a 2017 initiative that focused on upgrading broken signal equipment, reducing track fires by clearing debris and other needed repairs.
“The MTA’s top priority is increasing the reliability of the system and our workforce has been focused on identifying and fixing track defects, fixing signals and switches, and overhauling train cars…at a faster rate that at any time in memory,” said MTA Chairman Patrick J Foye.
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14 Comments
Those numbers are questionable as the 2016 elections; I have been taking this train ALL my life and always seems to be an issue with it. They are constantly repairing it but honestly I don’t think is working because every other Monday is BROKEN. Also is a simple solution send more trains and this will prevent overcrowded cars and platform. Something that I don’t understand is how they dispatch the trains daily. For instance in the Morning you see a lot of EMPTY trains heading to FLUSHING while 1 out of 4 heads to Manhattan ( Overcrowded) and at 5pm you will see the opposite, a lot of trains heading Manhattan( SUPER EMPTY) and 1 out 5 heading to Flushing ( Sardine Like Overcrowded). Don’t they send someone to check the pattern? This is every DAY and yet no one has come with a solution.
I use it daily and can’t remember the last time it failed me. I know people like to complain about it; for some, it’s the most fun they’ll have all day. For me, it’s dependable and reliable and I almost always get a seat.
literally one of the worst trains in the city. the service is beyond below subpar. this week, there was an announcement over the PA that “the train isnt moving, there was an earlier report that a train malfunctioned, but I dont know why we are still being held”. but luckily, the rates are going up again to pay for super raises and OT that wasnt actually worked. because MTA is the worst way.
Lololol really???? Well they’re batting 1000 this month!
#7 train is the best in the city. People around here complain way too much.
If they don’t schedule trains to run they will never be late. What a load of nonsense.
Oct 22. New heading – Giant Rusty Bolt Falls From The 7 Train Track – enough said
SIGNAL PROBLEMS! Anyone else have fun commuting home from the city last night?
The MTA needs to stop patting itself on the back. The system is in shambles.
Of course, it is only delayed at rush our because:
– emergency brakes were activated;
– stalled train; or
– injured/struck/sick passanger.
Rest of the day it is fine with maintenance and espcial schedule on weekends. Anyway, they apologize for any inconvinience… even if the inconvenience is being late at work as an hourly paid employee.
Uber and lyft praise the 7 train
That’s my BOY!!!! Way to go 7!!! So proud….
As a daily 7 train rider – I beg to differ.
This year represents the 102nd Anniversary of # 7 Flushing subway service. In March 1953, a super express began operating from Flushing–Main Street to Times Square in the AM rush hour. This #7 stopped at Main Street, and Willets Point before skipping all stops to Queensboro Plaza, skipping the Woodside and Junction Boulevard express stops. The running time was cut down to 23 minutes from 25 minutes. This ended in a few years
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Holiday and Saturday express service was discontinued in March 1954. Mid-day express service between 10 AM – 3 PM was discontinued in August 1975. Riders have had to endure too many years of inconvenience as a result of the MTA NYC Transit investing $774 million in Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) on the Flushing #7 line.
With or without CBTC, there are opportunities to increase capacity and service by running trains more frequently mid-day, evenings, overnight and weekends on the #7 line. There has been no express service between 10 AM and 3 PM due to periodic ongoing track, power, signal, and routine maintenance projects since the 1980’s, including work to support CBTC. Will it be worth investing $774 million in CBTC when it may only result in increasing the number of rush hour trains by 2 from 27 to 29 in each direction? After that, the MTA NYC Transit no longer has any other opportunity for increasing rush hour capacity on the #7 line.
It has now been over eight months since CBTC was completed. Installation of Automatic Train Operations was also completed earlier this year. This affords trains to operate at higher speeds, acceleration and braking which assists in more even spacing of trains. Isn’t it time to resume mid day express service? .
Given the tremendous growth in #7 ridership 24/7, riders would welcome restoration of mid day, Saturday and holiday express services along with more frequent local service off peak, late evenings, overnight and weekends. There is always equipment used primarily for rush hour peak service that is available to provide additional service during off peak hours. It is a question of finding millions of dollars more to cover operating costs for additional service.
(Larry Penner is a transportation historian, writer and advocate who previously worked 31 years for the United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for the MTA, NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro North Rail Road MTA Bus along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ)..
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This is satire, right?
Byford is on his way out and is a lame duck. He’s just trying to pad his reputation, but those that ride the 7 train daily for work know this is a bunch of PR crap!