R42N

There seem to be a lot of issues actually. After terminating at 96st, Southbound ’s tend to default to the old Astoria Programing. Saying “Next Stop Is: Astoria Blvd” Sources: https://twitter.com/NikoMetsPlus/status/816323073158840320, & https://twitter.com/jmp_nyc/status/816259568418353152 The crew then often cuts of the announcements with the “Please Listen to Train Crew for Announcements” until 72nd or 63rd. Additionally, the AAS system for the is dated back to 2010, announcing V Transfers, no SBS, and saying “Atlantic Pacific and Lawrence” instead of “Atlantic Barclays and Jays MetroTech) Source: ---- On a separate note, does anyone know if they outfitted R68s with 96st/2av as a northern rollsign? If they really want to do this stupid branch, they add 96st to the roll signs, like they did with Hudson Yards on the R62A.

I’m fairly certain that’s the case. It’ll be a train northbound, and a train southbound, both via Sea Beach. Queensboro Plz idea also connects to the Lexington Ave Line , , at Lex. The only issue I see is the issue brought up about the storage of the train during middays. Astoria Express Tracks north of Queensboro is the only feasible option, but storage space there seems to scarce most of the time, and there is often work during middays on the local tracks...

How would it be a mess? train used to do it when they were coming in during rush hours, and that was every 10 minutes. The short-turned wouldn’t have to turn for about 25-45 minutes, as there is only four trains per rush. They would turn on to un-used express tracks, and then come back when necessary. Not a perfect scenario, no, but turning around the at Whitehall is just as bad, and that’s not that bad. I mean, considering you have 25-45 minutes before another short-turned arrives, you have the time, but it’s not necessary. This alleviates some of the loads on Astoria bound (N)/(W)’s from 57th-5th-Lex/59th. Clearing passengers out at Queensboro could conceivably be an issue, but I’d only see the platform be “packed” if there was a lapse in service in front of the short-turned . If that was the case, then they could just un-short-turn the short-turn, as Ditmars wouldn’t be overwhelmed thanks to the lapse. Lex and 59th is a madhouse, and sending trains to a destination that isn’t served by the , or isn’t a way to help that. Adding four trains to Queensboro, where one can transfer to the Flushing Line, will help. I am familiar with the bottleneck between the Astoria Line and Queens Blvd Line at Long Island City, and I don’t think one train per half hour to alleviate crowds will make it that much worse. Also, I can’t help but ask, if the is in need of extra service (even though we’ve been getting along with zero SAS service until next week), why even make these short turned ’s???Make them ’s, real ’s, via Brighton. The whole reason we have these three to five short turns is because Ditmars is overwhelmed, not to add extra 2nd Ave service. The Queensboro solution gives people in three vital stops extra trains that are badly needed. Unfortunately, every place is in need of extra service, but we know for a fact that Queensboro/Lex 59 could use those trains, we don’t know what’s what for the SAS, yet.

I didn’t know that, but still, the 60th St Tunnel is not “beyond” capacity, the Ditmars terminal is. Also remember that the tunnel lost a few trains per day with the leaving last month. The choice of four trains with vital connections to the Lexington Avenue Line (which serves way more East Side stops) and the Flushing Line, which is arguably the biggest transfer to/from the Broadway Line, or the trains to a further distance to stops with no noteworthy connections and no need for extra service is a non-brainer for me.

Putting them on Second Avenue to begin with is stupid. Queensboro is better for passengers, avoids the future service change you were alluding to.

Starting to become really excited for the Second Avenue Subway Opening! However, there is one service change that I would make that is different from what they are proposing, and it regards those four to five ’s that will "short-change” at 96th instead of 57th like they currently do. The reason short-change was in quotes was because it’s hard to call it a short-change when it goes on a completely different route for four stops. I understand why they have to do it, as Ditmars Blvd can’t accommodate all those trains, but my proposal re-routes those short-turns: The four (or trains under this proposal) will short turn at Queensboro Plaza, relaying on the express tracks south of 39th Avenue and heading back into service on the southbound tracks at Queensboro. Here are the Pros and Cons I see: PROS: 1: The will stay on it’s intended route, so passengers that have been riding the to Astoria for 30 years won’t get confused as to why the train is running on a different route, especially since there are no signs posted. When it stops at 57th, regular passengers assume the train is going out of service or something. 2: Those ’s stop at Queensboro, so the passengers transferring to the Line (and there are a lot of people that do that) don’t have to double transfer to get to their final stop. Five extra trains to Queensboro from Manhattan on the would be nice for those transferring passengers. 3: After deadheading on the Express Tracks, the trains will re-enter service at Queensboro empty, so transferring passengers won’t be faced with packed trains from the Astoria Line if they are lucky enough to find one of those trains. 4: Keeps those four trains stoping at packed stations that are vital stops, like Lexington/59th, and 5th Avenue. 5: Enhanced flexibility, as either the or can short-turn at Queensboro. Currently, it would be hard to have a short-turning as it would have to switch to the express tracks. 6: Passengers going to Second Avenue probably wouldn’t board a south of 57th, as people would think that it’s going to Astoria, even if the display says differently, so the trains won’t be used much north of 57th. CONS: 1. Time wasted short turning or on the Astoria Express Tracks. 2. Four fewer trains heading up via Second Avenue, but the isn’t going up there to help the , it’s going there because Ditmars can’t turn trains fast enough. ------------ Ultimately, the current system with short-tuning ’s at 57th makes sense, it gets trains back downtown the fastest, and passengers just cross the platform for Astoria service, but 96th and Queensboro are about the same distance from each other (Queensboro is 3 stops and a river, 96th is 4 long stops). Between the choice of three over-packed stops that could use extra service and four stops that most passengers think the serves exclusively (and thus passengers might mistakenly pass up on the for a to be safe), the choice is obvious. For those interested, the short turned at Queensboro during the first Manhattan Bridge repairs frequently, so it’s definitely possible. What are your thoughts?

I’ve watched the return to Broadway the last few weeks, and while it’s nice to see it back, I’m not a big fan of it’s service pattern, and it’s weird how the ’s service pattern has changes drastically, and considering the is just an extension of the internally, I think this should be the new service pattern once the Sea Beach re-construction is done. There would be two N services. The and the express. The would run at all times, from Ditmars Blvd to Coney Island, running local on the Astoria Line, Broadway Line, via Bridge, 4th Avenue Express, and Sea Beach Local. The Express would run at Rush Hours and Middays from Ditmars Blvd (and current short turns to 57/7 would be from the ) to Coney Island, running local on the Astoria Line, and express on the Broadway, 4th Ave, and Sea Beach in peak-direction (stopping at stops that currently have temporary platforms. ------ I prefer this service over the current service for a few reasons: 1) service is beyond capacity, this could provide more evening and midday Astoria service, with the choice of either a local or an express in Manhattan. 2) With the growing population in Bensonhurst and Borough Park, providing a Super Express could be popular 3) Broadway Local stops receive bridge service once again. 4) Gives Astoria two downtown Brooklyn Options again. Neither the nearby , or provide service to Downtown Brooklyn, this would alleviate transfers to the at 59th and 5th. 5) Provides the extra service to Atlantic/Barclays, 36th, 59th, and popular Sea Beach stops, but doesn’t make the extra stops that reduces headways. ------- What are your thoughts?

I guess maybe, but how could the get it up to Wall St, turn around, and then go back down through Bowling Green to Brooklyn? Seems extremely time consuming and would delay the in both derections. Wouldn't it be more convienent to just send the via Lexington the whole way Southbound?

How is this upcoming service change possible ( http://travel.mtanyct.info/serviceadvisory/routeStatusResult.aspx?tag=2&date=8/11/2014&time=&method=getstatus4 ) they are re-routing trains via the after Chambers St, to go non-stop to Wall st, but last I heard this connection wasn't possible because there wasn't and track connections from the 7th avenue line to the Lex avenue line in Dowmtown other Tham the south ferry loops. This service change is happening late nights on the week of Aug 11th.

This is so Fake!!!! It's based on schedule not live tracking! Trains don't stop, and turn around immediately. I tested it out this weekend, said there was 1 N on the Astoria Line, meanwhile I just missed an at 30th, an was across the platform 2 min later, and then an came 3 min later. None of these trains were on the tracker. I then tested it out at Citi Field and again, completely wrong! Nice idea though...

It's Back!

Lets see... I entered Citi Field at around 6:30, ( I missed My field time slot because of that damn local reroute.) so I would say I was at Queensboro at 5:45?

I'll tell you this, from Queensboro to Willits-Point, I saw 1 R188, and it was going out of service (as I Stated). There was around 4 R62a's in the yard (plus probably a couple In the Casey Stengel Shed). Obviously no one can choose what train they take. But think of this. There have been 10 Mets games so far this year. Plus another trip to Bryant Park, that makes 22 trips on the since March 31st. Not one has been a R188. And I always wait for the express at Queensboro, and if there is a local train first, It's always been a R62a.

Here's my two cents. I live in Astoria and have to travel to Citi Field a lot over a year ( Mets Blogger ). I noticed that the R188's are never the "first choice" for conductors and bloggers. While I don't believe the major problems ( Opening on Wrong Side, Uncoupling in service) are happening, I defiantly believe that multiple minor issues are happening. Yesterday my R62A express (which was packed) had to switch to local because of a disabled train at Woodside, and wouldn't you believe it, it was an R188. Obviously though, they either got it to the yards, or repaired it back to service because come 103 st, There were express trains running. Because the Subway fan I am, I walked over to the boardwalk, only to notice around 4 sets of R188 (a couple in the low 78xx's) just sitting there. I then spoke to an operator on the Mets Express ( train that makes 3 stops to manhattan) saying he doubts that there will ever be an R188 on the Mets Express this season. And considering there is 4 Mets Exp per game, that's surprising

Today the harlem line was absolutely Screwed up. For the PM Peak, they had ONE TRAIN FOR THE ENTIRE LINE. Stoping at Melrose Tremont and every single stop up to Wassaic in One 7 car train. Hourly Service? There was no standing room in the train! Why a 7 car Shoreliner?

Got on 7822-7832 from Bryant to Queensboro around 10 today. Good ride, however the funny part is that all Announcment- exterior and interior signs were off. I didn't say or Not in service or anything. If it wasn't for the strip maps and oral announcements it would have been Chaos.

It's a test train, the doors opened on the other side, a sign on the door said "Not in service - Test Train". And also they weren't moving it somewhere else as you can only get out of the flushing line from Queensboro

Just saw a R188 test train going to Corona at GC! Here's a video I took.

Due to flooding at Queens Plaza, there is no service along the Queens blvd line from Forest Hills to Queens Plaza. The Astoria and Flushing Lines are becoming overcrowded. This will take a week to fix because of platform damages. Reroute lines in Queens and add extra service where needed.

Does anyone else think the r188 will ever be on a line other than the

If you were talking about my post, I was talking about Trains that are In Service

I might be forgetting a car type, but I believe the R188 may become the only train car to stay on one line the whole time. I don't see an R188 going on any other line besides the . Maybe it goes on the Dyre Ave Line during Late Nights a couple of times ( Like the R143 and the ).

The R188 may have other programs but its highly doubtful that we'll see an r188 on any other line than the ,. There might be the slightest chance that you see a R188 on the if something crazy happens! I suppose the R188 has programs for other IRT Lines.

I went all the way from Citi Field to Times Square today, not a single R188, and none were in the yards. Strange

No I just get my info from here and from asking around. The only proof of how I know the C car is having problems is the obvious fact that no conversion sets are in service, however the is also the chance that there are other problems, I don't know.