The Oil Drum: Local | Weekend NYC Mass Transit A Mess

Weekend NYC Mass Transit A Mess

Posted by Glenn on November 5, 2006 - 7:55pm in The Oil Drum: Local
Topic: Miscellaneous
Tags: mta, public transportation, subway [list all tags]

If the city has seemed empty on the weekends lately, it's probably because of all the service changes on the weekend. And much of this is needed, as for decades the MTA capital budget was slashed and there was no money to even maintain the system in good working order or remove graffiti, nevermind actually expanding or improving the system. So I'm glad much of the system is getting a long overdue upgrade and expansion in many areas. But all of it seems to be happening at once with no extra service on the remaining few lines that remain operational. And there are huge swaths of the city that simply lack any good mass transit options. What would help make this situation better?

Boost service on all other subway & bus lines, not just shuttle buses that meet trains at their new ending points. It seems that service on the remaining lines is just as frequent as a normal weekend.
Extend bus only lanes through the weekend to allow buses to move faster along their routes.
Create a new map of what the transportation system will actually look like each weekend. Have them for tourists and local residents at every single subway station whether it is open or closed.
Create a real bike lane network and bike parking infrastructure to provide positive healthy alternatives for getting around the city.
Set up taxi stands near all trouble spots and alert the TLC's membership to areas where subway service will be less frequent and therefore, demand is higher.

These seem like fairly simple solutions, but so far there is little concern from the MTA or DOT. In Manhattan this means just walking a bit further or taking a more crowded bus/train and transfering more frequently. But in the outerboroughs when they say "Please find alternate means of transportation" they mean, go get a car, mass transit can't help you.

I feel bad for the tourists because they get a subway map and follow it like it's the bible. When they ask me directions, I tell them, "That doesn't apply on the weekends" and give them what other little knowledge I have about how things are working.