Increased Frequency of Service Begins Monday, Aug. 28
Latest Effort Phasing in Enhanced Service Across New York City Subway System
Improves Trips for 180,000 Customers
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced subway service improvements coming to the and lines on weekdays, beginning Monday, Aug. 28. Customers will experience shorter wait times with trains arriving every eight minutes instead of every 10 minutes between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. These service improvements are made possible by $35 million in funding included in the FY 2024 New York State Budget and are expected to benefit the 180,000 customers who ride the and lines midday during the week.
New York City Transit is responding directly to "Customers Count" surveys that have consistently included rider feedback requesting decreased wait times along the N and R lines with satisfaction rates below the systemwide average. Customers also have reported in surveys that they would be more likely to continue to ride the subway system if their wait times were reduced.
“Customers on the and lines have told us loud and clear in surveys that more frequent weekday service would improve their satisfaction, and I am thrilled to say that we are delivering just that,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “Thanks to historic funding secured in the state budget, we are able to provide more frequent and reliable mid-day service to hundreds of thousands of customers in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, making the subway an even faster option to get around New York City.”
“Customer surveys indicate that riders want more frequent and reliable service at all times of the day and we’re both listening and directly responding to that feedback,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “And as we continue to expand this effort and increase service around the clock and to more lines, even more customers can look forward to enjoying better service.”
"The and are crucial subway lines for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, from Bay Ridge to Borough Hall and everywhere in between," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "I fought hard in this year’s state budget to win improved service times for these lines so the days of joking about the Never and the Rarely will finally be behind us. I thank the MTA for implementing these changes so quickly and applaud all of the advocates who helped make this a reality."
"I’m proud to have voted for the historic MTA budget that will fund increased midday weekday service on the and lines," said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon. "The MTA is listening to the community and advocacy groups that have called for more accessibility and enhanced service. Better service will incentivize riders to use the subway, especially during off-peak hours. These crucial improvements will benefit millions of riders and I want to thank the MTA for prioritizing these upgrades."
Increased train service will directly benefit customers affected by impacts to service due to critical track replacement along the line between 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr and 36 St in Queens. Beginning Monday, Aug. 28, weekday service will be suspended between 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr and Forest Hills-71 Av. Customers can utilize increased frequency of trains for additional local service in Queens during this time.
Due to the line track replacement work, increased weekday train service will begin between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and continue throughout the duration of this project. Once completed, increased train service will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m.
These service additions follow previous service increases on the lines that began on July 2, with weekend trains arriving every eight to 10 minutes instead of 10 to 12 minutes. On Monday, Aug. 7, trains began running every eight minutes instead of 10 minutes on weekdays. And on Saturday, Aug. 12, 1 and 6 trains began operating every six minutes on the weekends, down from every eight minutes.
Scheduled for July 2024 are weekday service increases on the lines. The service increase would have trains arriving every eight minutes. Additionally, service would be added to the lines on weekends, with trains arriving every 10 minutes.
“Every day New Yorkers utilize the subway system to get to work, go to school, and generally connect to other parts of New York City. They deserve a public transit system they can rely on to get from one location to another. I’m pleased to see system improvements at the N and R train weekdays midday in southern Brooklyn,” said State Senator Iwen Chu. “I fought alongside my colleagues in the State Legislature and secured critical funding for the MTA. It’s great to see the MTA bring service improvements to southern Brooklyn commuters. No matter the time of day, New Yorkers deserve reliable, safe, and accessible transportation.”
“My district of essential workers are going to benefit greatly from increased service on the and ,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos. “We fought hard for this in this year's budget, and I’m thrilled that we have delivered this progress. We’re going to keep pushing until we achieve six minute service across the entire system.”
"Our public transit system is the heart of this city. More frequent service on the and trains will greatly benefit working people who rely on this system for their whole lives,” said Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes. “I am so pleased to see the MTA increase service and make this investment in public safety and service. I know this change will be greatly appreciated by those in my community, particularly as we face hot and dangerous weather this summer. I look forward to faster, more reliable trains and the opportunities that will open up for New Yorkers as a result."
“Starting Monday, and train riders will see shorter waits. This increased service, alongside 10 other train lines, is thanks to the 4,000+ New Yorkers who organized across our city this year to demand a better transit system," said Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani. "While our fight to ‘Fix the MTA’ continues, these service improvements represent an investment by New York State to tangibly improve the lives of working-class New Yorkers.”
“Study after study shows when you increase the frequency and reliability of public transit, ridership increases,” said Council Member Alexa Aviles. “I’m grateful for the MTA’s efforts to better the quality of service on the and lines and I call on them to commit to ensuring our subways remain affordable for the working class residents of the 38th District.”
"It doesn’t get much more Bay Ridge than the train so increased service is great news and a big deal for our community!” said Council Member Justin Brannan. “Public transit literally keeps our city moving, and southern Brooklyn deserves faster and better connections to the whole network. Between this, our express buses, and expanded express NYC Ferry service, it’s never been a better time to be a Bay Ridge resident on the go!"
“Many of the working-class immigrant communities in my district rely on the N and R for their daily commute,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “Thanks to increased funding from Albany, we’ll finally be seeing the service my neighbors need. This increased service will go a long way to improving deteriorating conditions on the transit system thousands of my constituents rely on. Let’s continue the fight to ensure service times don’t just increase every decade or so, but every year.”