MTA NYC Transit Adding Limited F Express Service for Brooklyn Residents with Longest Commutes

MTA New York City Transit announced today that it will offer a limited express service on the  [f]  line beginning September 2019 to speed up the commutes of thousands of customers who use the subway line in Brooklyn during the morning and evening rush hours.

“We’re adding some limited express service to the  [f]  line in Brooklyn because our customers asked, and we listened,” said MTA NYC Transit President Andy Byford. “It will benefit thousands of commuters by getting them to their destinations faster instead of sitting waiting as their train makes all local stops.”

NYC Transit will introduce limited peak-direction, a.m. and p.m. rush hour express service on the  [f]  line between Church Av and Jay St-MetroTech, stopping at 7 Av, beginning in September 2019. The  [f]  line currently operates local service on a 26-station segment from Bway-Lafayette St to Coney Island-Stillwell Av, the longest local service-only portion of any subway line in the system. Southern Brooklyn customers traveling to and from Midtown Manhattan can spend 50 minutes or more in each direction as trains provide service to every stop along the route. More than half of  [f]  customers affected by the express service enhancement will benefit from a faster ride, with some shaving about an hour off their commute times each week.

To balance ridership needs at local  [f]  stations in Brooklyn with the new express service benefitting the southern portion of the line, two Manhattan-bound trains between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., and two Coney Island-bound trains between 5 p.m. and 5:40 p.m., will operate express between Church Av and Jay St-MetroTech.  These particular times were chosen to benefit the largest number of customers while limiting impact and wait times for other Brooklyn riders of the  [f]  line. To accommodate the new express service, local service schedules will be adjusted to ensure even train spacing during the brief windows when express service will operate.

The express trains will be identified as  [F-Diamond]  (an F inside a diamond), similar to the design convention used on other express trains.

Congressmember Jerrold Nadler said:

“The  [f]  is a lifeline for communities in my district and throughout southern Brooklyn. I have been calling on New York City Transit (NYCT) to restore  [f]  express service for many years, and it is good after these many years of advocacy, that a portion of that service is being restored.  I believe the many neighborhoods of southern Brooklyn need this additional service, and adding express service – while maintaining local service – will mean less travel time and fewer delays for people and businesses along the entire line.”

Congressmember Max Rose said:

“South Brooklynites have faced excessively long commutes for far too long. Bringing express service to the  [f]  Train is a welcome change that will finally start shortening commutes. I commend New York City Transit for hearing the needs of our community and I look forward to continuing to improve commutes for everyone.”

Senator Simcha Felder said:

“Growing up, express service on the  [f]  Line was the norm. This is a step in the right direction and I look forward to permanent express service returning to the  [f]  line.”

Senator Andrew Gounardes said:

"I’m glad the MTA has finally said yes to the  [f]  train express, after many years of advocacy. The new service will shave valuable time off of the commutes of tens of thousands of southern Brooklynites. We need to work to ensure that every community with seriously long commute times gains access to express service.”

Senator Diane Savino said:

“I want to thank the MTA for finally hearing the concerns of the residents of South Brooklyn! This announcement is an excellent start to what will finally bring some transportation equity to underserved neighborhoods.  I look forward to continuing to work with the people of South Brooklyn and the MTA to expand on this excited news"

Assemblymember William Colton said:

“I have long advocated for the  [f]  going express for parts of southern Brooklyn. I commend the MTA and the NYCTA for including this great improvement for southern Brooklyn riders as part of its plans to improve and speed up travel on public transit. This change will shorten the time for travel to Manhattan and hopefully will encourage more riders to use public transit into Manhattan.”

Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz said:

"People in southern Brooklyn have among the longest commutes to Manhattan in the entire city and this long-awaited  [f]  express service will make their daily trips shorter and easier. Thanks to NYCT President Andy Byford for listening to our concerns and suggestions and then choosing to prioritize the needs of thousands of Brooklyn commuters who haven't gotten the consideration they've deserved."

Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein said:

“The new addition of express trains on the  [f]  line will be a great relief to many commuters. This is a great next step but we must always look for more ways to meet the goal of speeding up all commutes.”

Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus said:

"I am thrilled about the launch of  [f]  express service beginning in September. As a long-time resident of Coney Island, I know how valuable the  [f]  express train has been to our community over the years, as well as other southern Brooklyn neighborhoods. I want to thank the MTA for restoring the  [f]  express service which will directly improve the commutes of thousands of riders in my district."

Councilmember Chaim Deutsch said:

“Peak hours express  [f]  service will make a significant impact for many of my constituents, who are subject to extremely long travel times when commuting to and from work in Manhattan.  With minimal mass transit options for Southern Brooklynites to get into the city, it is vital that the service we do have access to is reliable.  I’m hopeful that when this  [f]  express option begins in September, it will have a positive effect for thousands of Brooklynites.”

Councilmember Mark Treyger said:

“I’ve long advocated for express subway service on the  [f]  train line due to the fact that my constituents in Coney Island have one of the longest work and school commutes in NYC. Bus service from the west end to the Stillwell train station coupled with a train ride amounts to an over 1.5 hour commute for residents. With thousands of additional housing units coming on line and the expansion of amusements, faster and more reliable transit service is a necessity, not a luxury, and is a matter of transit equity for Southern Brooklynites. I applaud the MTA for taking this initial step, but we must continue working to increase the number of additional trains to accommodate both local and express service for all Brooklynites.”

Councilmember Kalman Yeger said:

"This is a good start to finally bringing much needed transportation relief to our southern Brooklyn communities. I’m grateful to the MTA for beginning this expanded service.  Undoubtedly, our neighborhoods need better and faster public transportation options, and I know the MTA agrees.  I'm hopeful that this express option expands to more hours in the near future."