Squadron, Electeds Announce Mta Steps to Help G Train Riders During Summer Shutdown

MTA to Provide Free Transfers Between Broadway G and Lorimer J/M stops, among other solutions

BROOKLYN – At the request State Senator Daniel Squadron and local elected officials, the MTA has agreed to a series of solutions to ensure New Yorkers who rely on the G train will not be stranded when the agency closes the line for five weeks this summer to make Sandy-related repairs. The proposed solutions arose from an April town hall that Squadron held in conjunction with area elected officials including Congressmember Velazquez; City Comptroller Stringer; State Senators Dilan, Gianaris, and Montgomery; Assemblymembers Brennan, Davila, Lentol, and Millman; and City Councilmembers Levin, Cornegy, Cumbo, Lander, Reynoso, and Van Bramer, as well as community members and representatives from the MTA, DOT, EDC, and NYPD to address residents’ and businesses’ concerns regarding the shutdown.

“There's no single solution to ease the pain of this summer's G closure, but these changes will certainly help,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “I’m pleased that the MTA has heeded our calls, and taken this step to offer concrete solutions. I’ll continue to work with the MTA and City agencies and my colleagues to follow-up on our Town Hall and ensure G train riders aren’t stranded this summer.”

The requests made by community members at the town hall, and advocacy work of Senator Squadron and his colleagues led the MTA to commit to the following solutions:

•         Provide riders with a free transfer between the Broadway G and Lorimer J/M stops
•          Monitor B32 bus usage during the closure and possibly increase its frequency
•          Ensure planned service outages do not occur on the L, J, M or Z lines during the closure

“If we want our City to continue to grow, riders who rely on the G train service can’t be isolated from central business districts. I applaud Senator Squadron for working with local elected officials, the transit advocacy community and the MTA for coming together to ensure that the needs of thousands of commuters are met. Together, we will ensure that the G train and the communities it serves emerge from Superstorm Sandy reconstruction stronger than ever,” said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer.

“Commuters on the G train will receive the support they deserve from the MTA during this summer’s shutdown, thanks to the combined efforts of our communities and the local electeds who proudly serve them. It is an economic and civic imperative that residents and businesses continue to have transit access, and Borough Hall will stay vigilant in identifying and addressing any potential challenges caused by this outage,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.

“These recommendations have come as a result of an open and inclusive debate and have the best interests of G train riders and businesses along the route in mind. As work progresses this summer, it’s good to see that there will be reasonable commuter alternatives and services in place. These suggestions also take into consideration potential impacts to adjoining MTA lines, and leave room to make changes if necessary. I commend Senator Squadron’s efforts on this issue and thank the MTA for heeding them,” said Senator Martin Malavé Dilan. 

"Though dealing with G train outages this summer will never be easy, I am glad the MTA listened to the community and took steps to ease the burden for riders as our subways still fight to return to form after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. The G train is a vital means of getting around for many areas underserved by mass transit, and I will continue working with Senator Squadron, our fellow elected officials, and transit groups to make the G train as effective as it can be for Queens and Brooklyn residents,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris.

“I am happy to see that the MTA has provided riders with alternatives during the G train shutdown. The ridership on alternate modes of transportation will be stressed during this time, and the MTAs commitments take direct aim at ensuring riders are not severely inconvenienced. I applaud my colleagues for taking a proactive approach to remedying this problem that will undoubtedly hamper many riders commutes,” said Assemblymember Joseph R. Lentol.

“I applaud Senator Squadron for bringing the MTA to the table to address our concerns about the planned G Train disruption. The G train is an artery connecting communities throughout the Borough of Brooklyn and it is vitally  important to me that residents of my district have adequate transportation to get to their jobs, families and friends.  In uniting all the elected officials in the neighborhoods that the G Train runs through, Senator Squadron has helped us to show that together we have a greater strength to bring the resources that our districts need,” said Assemblymember Maritza Davila.

“The G train shutdown will have a significant impact in the daily lives of residents who depend on the G line so it is important that we do everything we can to provide as many transportation options as possible during the shutdown. New Yorkers depend on public transportation and it is essential that everyone has the ability to get to work, to visit family and friends, and to move about the City. I am glad the MTA has committed to these agreements and we must continue to work to find more transportation options for our community,” said City Councilmember Stephen Levin.    

“Thousands of New Yorkers depend on the reliability of our city's transit system to earn a living, pursue an education, and to provide for their families. Service disruptions are often an inconvenience, but a necessity to bolster our transportation infrastructure. In order to preserve the economic viability of our city, we must ensure that all New Yorkers can continue to visit neighborhoods and frequent small businesses year-round,” said Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo. “Solutions are always present where people are willing to engage in discussion and make compromises. I applaud the leadership of State Senator Daniel Squadron and the interagency collaboration to address community concerns regarding the shutdown of the G train service, by providing local residents and businesses owners with alternate means of transportation this summer.”

Tolani Adeboye, a member of the Riders Alliance who lives off the Myrtle-Willoughby G train stop and often uses the J train to travel to Lower Manhattan, said, "The free transfer is a great relief to G train riders.  It will better connect the G train to the rest of the city, and I hope the MTA decides to extend the transfer beyond the period of construction.  Thanks to the MTA for agreeing to this change that will help G train riders, and thanks to State Senator Squadron and the elected officials from the community who pushed for it to happen."

The G train is a vital lifeline for residents and businesses throughout Brooklyn and Queens. The G train will be out of service between Nassau Avenue and Long Island City for five  weeks between July 26 and September 1 due to Hurricane Sandy-related repairs. The MTA will provide a shuttle service, along with the solutions enumerated above. City agencies – DOT, NYPD, and EDC – also have a role in providing alternatives.