Ridership Declines Cost MTA Over $100 Million
As the story usually goes with the MTA finances, when it rains, it pours. This was the case once again in the latest report released today from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapol which states ridership declines cost the MTA over $100M through October 2009 than during the same period in 2008. Here is the press release courtesy of Thomas P. DiNapoli:
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today released a report showing 75 million fewer customers used the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) system through October 2009 than during the same period in 2008, costing the MTA more than $100 million in lost fare and toll revenue. DiNapoli attributes the sharp decline to the 110,000 jobs lost in New York City between October 2008 and October 2009.
“The MTA is vital to the strength of the regional economy – and the health of the economy has a huge impact on ridership,” DiNapoli said. “People don’t commute when they’re unemployed.”
In 2008, more than 2.6 billion riders used the MTA’s buses, subways, and commuter railroads and about 300 million vehicles crossed the MTA’s bridges and tunnels. Subway ridership, which had grown by 242 million trips between 2000 and the peak year of 2008, accounted for the biggest decline in 2009, with about 44 million fewer riders from January 2009 through October 2009 than during the same period in 2008.
The DiNapoli report also found:
* Subway ridership through October 2009 dropped 3.2 percent from levels during the same period of 2008.
* About 18 million fewer riders used New York City Transit buses, a 2.9 percent decline, and about two million fewer riders used the MTA’s suburban bus lines during the review period.
* Four million fewer riders used the Long Island Rail Road and more than 3 million fewer riders used the Metro-North Railroad when compared with the same 2008 period.
* Average weekday subway ridership through October 2009 to midtown Manhattan fell 6.2 percent while commuting to Downtown Manhattan declined 3.3 percent.
* Bridge and tunnel crossings declined by 4.3 percent through October 2009 compared to the same period in 2007 when fuel prices began to rise.
Now here is a sample of the report:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is responsible for operating the largest mass transit system in the nation. The MTA’s ridership is inextricably linked to the economy of New York City—especially ridership to the central business district, where the majority of jobs are located. New York City lost 110,000 jobs (2.9 percent) between October 2008 and October 2009, which has caused a sharp drop in utilization of the MTA’s transit facilities (e.g., subways, buses, and bridges and tunnels).
Through October 2009, MTA utilization was lower in every month of 2009 compared with the same month in 2008 (see Figure 1). As of October 2009, 75 million fewer customers had used the MTA’s facilities since the beginning of 2009, compared with the same period last year. Lower utilization has cost the MTA more than $100 million in lost fare and toll revenue.
In 2008, more than 2.6 billion riders used the MTA’s network of subways, buses, and railroads, and some 300 million vehicles crossed the MTA’s bridges and tunnels.
Through October 2009, 75 million fewer customers (3.1 percent) used the MTA’s facilities compared with the same period a year earlier.
During the first ten months of 2009, subway ridership declined by 3.2 percent compared to the same period in 2008, a loss of 44 million rides.
Average weekday subway ridership in Manhattan declined by 3.9 percent during the first ten months of 2009, although the decline eased in October. (Ridership fell by more than 6 percent in Midtown Manhattan.)
Click here for a complete copy (.pdf) of the report.
Nothing in this report comes as a surprise to me & I am sure the sentiment is shared by fellow transit advocates/bloggers. The economy is in the toilet, unemployment continues to sit at record highs, & we are not seeing any sign of a legitimate recovery regardless of what the controlled media tries to sell. So with such facts making up the current reality, it is no surprise that ridership is down.
I sincerely hope that such a report will not be used as an excuse by leaders in the city & state government for the continued lack of adequate funding for the MTA & its ever important infrastructure. Regardless of what the ridership numbers & revenue from it show, the need for proper funding is more necessary than ever. Does anyone with a clue in government hear the rallying cry? If past results are any indication, the unfortunate answer is a resounding no.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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Rockaways Station Rehab Updates
One of the lengthier construction projects going on within the NYC Subway is the station rehabs at some stations in the Rockaways. Just a short time ago, MTA New York City Transit sent me a press release containing the latest updates on this project. Here are the complete details:
Due to inclement weather and limited track access, the schedule for closing and reopening station platforms under rehabilitation in the Rockaways has been revised. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience to riders who use the stations under rehabilitation.
The Far Rockaway-bound A platforms at Beach 67th and Beach 44th Streets are scheduled to reopen as planned on Monday, January 18, 2010.
The Manhattan-bound S platforms at Beach 105th and Beach 90th Streets and the Far Rockaway-bound A platform at Beach 25th Street are scheduled to reopen on Monday, January 25, one week later than previously announced.
The Manhattan-bound A platforms at Beach 25th, Beach 44th and Beach 67th Streets are scheduled to close for rehabilitation on Monday, February 1, 2010, one week later than previously announced.
The Rockaway-bound S platforms at Beach 90th and Beach 105th Streets remain scheduled to close for rehabilitation on Monday, February 15 as planned.
Please note that this coming weekend, January 15-18, the Rockaway Park Shuttle S is suspended due to station rehabilitation work. Free shuttle buses will operate between Beach 60th Street and Rockaway Park, making stops at: Rockaway Park, Beach 105th Street, Beach 98th Street, Beach 90th Street, Beach 67th Street and Beach 60th Street. Customers may transfer to the A at Beach 67th or Beach 60th Streets.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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No Queens G Service For Next 4 Weekends
One of the planned service diversions for the rest of January listed here, is the 
being suspended for 4 consecutive weekends. MTA New York City Transit has issued a separate press release with details about the suspension which I received a short time ago. Here are the complete details:
MTA NYC Transit announces that due to several maintenance projects, G service is suspended for four consecutive weekends, January 15-18, January 22-25, January 29-February 1 and February 5-8 from 10:30 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday.
Customers traveling between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Queens Plaza during the day should take the R; during the late night hours take the E. The free shuttle buses operate between Queens Plaza and Jay Street. For service to Church Avenue, customers should transfer between the shuttle bus and F trains at Jay Street.
The work being done on these four weekends includes a switch replacement at Bedford-Nostrand, asbestos removal at Greenpoint Avenue, fan plant replacement at Jackson Avenue and track maintenance work at various locations.
Please note that during the weekend of January 22-25, the free shuttle bus will be extended to 21st Street-Queensbridge to connect to the re-routed E (on that weekend, due to work on the 5th Avenue-Lexington Avenue interlocking modernization, the southbound E is re-routed via the F from Roosevelt Avenue to 34th Street-Herald Square, where it terminates; northbound E operates via 6th Avenue from 34th Street-Herald Square to 5th Avenue; there is no E service from 7th Avenue to World Trade Center).
By this day & age, I highly doubt that Queens riders are surprised about the not running along Queens Blvd.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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January Weekend Subway Diversions
As they did in November, MTA New York City Transit has issued a press release highlighting planned weekend subway diversions for the rest of the month. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release I just received:
The New York City subway system is in operation all day, every day and the only time available for us to perform many maintenance and heavy construction projects is on the weekends. Much of that construction work – installation of new track and signals, station rehabilitations, communications and lighting upgrades and general maintenance – is heavily dependent on access to the tracks, sometimes making it necessary to reroute or temporarily suspend service on many lines.
In order to give riders a look ahead to what they can expect in upcoming weeks, we are providing an overview of scheduled work and the resulting service changes for the month. It should be noted, however, that while we make every attempt to inform customers as far in advance as possible, some schedules may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Before traveling, customers should log onto the MTA website, www.mta.info, and click onto Planned Service Changes to review NYC Transit Service Advisories. Customers can also sign up for email alerts, and listen to the weekly podcasts, as well as watch for station signage and listen to announcements onboard trains.
Of course, we apologize for the inconvenience; we recognize there is no perfect time to do this type of heavy work on the system, but it is necessary for the system’s long-term vitality, reliability and safety.
IRT WEST (
,
,
,
):
Weekend of January 15-18:
3 operates to New Lots Avenue all weekend.
7 terminates at Mets-Willets Point. Shuttle bus operates between Mets-Willets Point and Main Street-Flushing for track chip out and concrete pour. (Repeats in Weekend Jan 22-25.)
Weekend of January 22-25:
Southbound 1 (and 2 during midnights) operate express from 96th Street to Times Square (skipping 86th, 79th, 66th, 59th, and 50th Streets). The 3 during midnights is extended to 34th Street-Penn Station. This is for switch work at 72nd Street and station rehab work at 59th Street. (Repeats Jan 29-Feb 1.)
7 terminates at Mets-Willets Point. Shuttle bus operates between Mets-Willets Point to Main Street-Flushing for track chip out and concrete pour. (Repeats in Weekend Jan 29-Feb 1.)
Saturday and Sunday mornings, north and southbound 2 & 3 trains operate local between Times Square and Chambers Street for signal cable installation at 14th Street.
Weekend of January 29-February 1:
Southbound 1 (and 2 during midnights) operate express from 96th Street to Times Square (skipping 86th, 79th, 66th, 59th, and 50th Streets). The 3 during midnights is extended to 34th Street-Penn Station. This is for switch work at 72nd Street and station rehab work at 59th Street.
Southbound 2 operates express from Gun Hill Road to East 180th Street. This is for the East 180th Street signal modernization project.
7 operates between Main Street-Flushing and Queensboro Plaza (Q service is extended to Astoria to accommodate 7 customers.) Shuttle bus operates between Queensboro Plaza and Vernon-Jackson. Grand Central Shuttle (S) runs all night. This is for track panel installation at Court House Square and new switch installation at Hunters Point Avenue; construction of new transfer facility between 7 and G at Court Square. NOTE: This is the first of 10 consecutive weeks.
____
IRT EAST (
,
,
,
):
Weekend of January 15-18:
4 terminates at Brooklyn Bridge (Operates local northbound and southbound between 125th Street and Brooklyn Bridge.)
5 terminates at Grand Central.
Weekend of January 22-25:
Northbound 6 skips Whitlock Avenue, Elder Avenue, Soundview-Morrison Avenue and St. Lawrence Avenue for asbestos abatement related to station rehabs.
On Sunday morning only, southbound 4 & 5 trains operate local from 125th Street to Grand Central for signal cable installation. (Repeats Jan 29-Feb 1.)
Weekend of January 29-February 1:
5 operates between 149th Street-Grand Concourse and Bowling Green (during normal daytime hours of operation). Shuttle buses replace the 5 train from East 180th Street to Dyre Avenue. This is for East 180th Street signal modernization.
On Sunday morning only, southbound 45 trains operate local from 125th Street to Grand Central for signal cable installation.
Southbound 6 skips St. Lawrence Avenue, Soundview-Morrison Avenue, Elder Avenue, and Whitlock Avenue for asbestos abatement related to station rehabs.
__________
BMT (
,
,
),
,
):
Weekend of January 15-18:
Northbound D operates local from 59th Street to 125th Street for the concrete pour at 110th Street.
Q terminates at Times Square for fan plant work at Jackson Avenue and tunnel lighting.
Weekend of January 22-25:
North and southbound D operates local between 34th Street to West 4th Street for 5th Avenue/Lexington Avenue interlocking modernization.
On Sunday only, the southbound D operates local from 125th Street to 59th Street-Columbus Circle for track cleaning.
Weekend of January 29-February 1:
Northbound D trains operate local from West 4th Street to 34th Street-Herald Square for substation rehabilitation between 14th and 34th Streets.
Early Saturday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), southbound D trains bypass 167th Street, 161st Street and 155th Street for track cleaning. Early Sunday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), southbound D trains bypass 174th-175th Streets and 170th Street for track cleaning. Early Monday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), southbound D trains bypass 182nd-183rd Streets for track cleaning.
Northbound Q operates local from Prince Street to 34th Street for track chip out and concrete pour at 14th Street.
Early Saturday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), southbound N trains bypass 49th Street for track cleaning. Early Sunday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), northbound N trains bypass 49th Street for track cleaning.
__________
IND/BMT (
,
,
),
,
,
):
Weekend of January 15-18:
C is suspended. A operates local in Manhattan and Brooklyn EXCEPT: The A is express southbound from 125th Street to 59th Street for communications conduit installation; A is express northbound from Canal Street to 59th Street for the Chambers Street Signal Modernization project.
J shuttle train connects Brooklyn Bridge-Chambers Street and Atlantic Avenue (due to the Fulton Street Transit Center work.)
From 12:01 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday, A terminates at Euclid Avenue; shuttle bus operates between Euclid Avenue and Lefferts Blvd. A shuttle train operates between Rockaway Blvd. and Far Rockaway (for fiber optic cable installation at Euclid Avenue.)
Early Saturday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), northbound A trains bypass Kingston-Throop, Franklin, Clinton-Washington, and Lafayette Avenues for track cleaning. Early Sunday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), northbound A bypasses Shepherd Avenue, Van Siclen Avenue, and Liberty Avenue for track cleaning.
Early Monday morning (midnight to 5 a.m.), the northbound A trains bypass Rockaway Avenue and Ralph Avenue for track cleaning.
Northbound J bypasses Hewes Street, Lorimer Street and Flushing Avenue for track maintenance.
Weekend of January 22-25:
Northbound A is rerouted via Rutgers tunnel (F) from Jay Street to West 4th Street. C operates between World Trade Center (E) station to 168th Street only. The A runs local in Brooklyn to replace the C. This is for Chambers Street Signal Modernization project.
Rockaway Park shuttle (S) is suspended. Shuttle buses replace S between Beach 60th Street and Rockaway Park for track panel installation and station rehab work at Beach 90th and Beach 105th Streets.
Weekend of January 29-February 1:
Northbound C trains (and A during the midnight hours) operate express from 59th Street-Columbus Circle to 125th Street for public address system cable installation.
Northbound C trains (and A during the midnight hours) operate express from Canal Street to 59th Street-Columbus Circle for Chambers Street Signal Modernization project.
The Rockaway Park Shuttle S is suspended due to station rehabilitation work. Free shuttle buses will operate between Beach 60th Street and Rockaway Park, making stops at: Rockaway Park, Beach 105th Street, Beach 98th Street, Beach 90th Street, Beach 67th Street and Beach 60th Street. Customers may transfer to the A at Beach 67th or Beach 60th Streets.
__________
IND (
,
,
,
):
Weekend of January 15-18:
E operates to Second Avenue for the Chambers Street Signal Modernization project.
On Saturday, northbound F bypasses Briarwood-Van Wyck Blvd. and Sutphin Blvd. and the northbound E bypasses Briarwood-Van Wyck Blvd. for cable replacement.
North and southbound E and F trains operate local between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue for substation and power cable work.
G service is suspended; replaced by shuttle bus between Queens Plaza and Jay Street for a switch replacement at Bedford-Nostrand, asbestos removal at Greenpoint Avenue, fan plant work at Jackson Avenue and track maintenance work at various locations. Repeats Jan 22-25 and Jan 29-Feb 1.)
R operates via the 63rd Street tunnel in both directions (no R at Queens Plaza, Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue) for fan plant work at Jackson Avenue and tunnel lighting.
Northbound F operates via the Cranberry tunnel (A) from Jay Street to West 4th Street for tie and rail installation and track maintenance.
Weekend of January 22-25:
North and southbound E rerouted via F (63rd Street tunnel) between Roosevelt Avenue and 34th Street-Herald Square, where it terminates. During the late night hours, customers should take the shuttle bus at 21st Street-Queensbridge to get to Queens Plaza. There is no E service between 34th Street and World Trade Center in either direction. This is for the 5th Avenue/Lexington Avenue interlocking modernization.
G service is suspended; replaced by shuttle bus between Queens Plaza and Jay Street for a switch replacement at Bedford-Nostrand, asbestos removal at Greenpoint Avenue, fan plant work at Jackson Avenue and track maintenance work at various locations. (Repeats Jan 29-Feb 1.) NOTE: There is a change in the bus operation for this week only. The bus is extended to 21st Street-Queensbridge to connect to the rerouted E.
Southbound F is rerouted via the Cranberry Tunnel (A) from West 4th Street to Jay Street for tunnel lighting installation.
North and southbound R trains (and N at midnights) operate via the Manhattan Bridge for the Lawrence Street station rehab and construction of transfer passageway to Jay Street. (Repeats Jan 29-Feb 1.)
Weekend of January 29-February 1:
E is rerouted to Second Avenue (F); no E between West 4th Street and World Trade Center for the Chambers Street Signal Modernization project.
G service is suspended. Free shuttle buses replace the G between Queens Plaza and Jay Street for a switch replacement at Bedford-Nostrand Avenues, asbestos removal at Greenpoint Avenue, fan plant work at Jackson Avenue and track maintenance work at various locations.
North and southbound R trains (and N at midnights) operate via the Manhattan Bridge for the Lawrence Street station rehab and construction of transfer passageway to Jay Street.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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- Service Diversions Look Ahead 03/26-03/29
- No Queens G Service For Next 4 Weekends
- Brighton Line Express Service Temporarily Suspended
- MTA Adds Service To Area Beaches
LIRR Conductor Finds Wallet & Returns It
Just a short time ago, the MTA Long Island Rail Road held a press conference to talk about a conductor who found a wallet with $2,830 in it & turned it in which led to the owner reclaiming it. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release I received a few minutes ago:
One of Long Island Rail Road train conductor Larry Pinkham, Jr.’s duties is to walk through his train after all customers leave at the final stop, checking for items passengers may have left behind. He did just that on Tuesday (January 12) when the 2:52 PM train from Penn Station completed its run at Huntington (at 3:59 PM), Pinkham was checking the train when he came across what he described as “a wallet that was large and bulky” right near the window seat of one of the cars. The wallet turned out to contain $2,830 in cash and, luckily, identification of its owner.
As per railroad procedure, Conductor Pinkham, a 10-year LIRR veteran, turned in the wallet and its contents to LIRR managers at the railroad’s Lost and Found Office in Penn Station. The cash was tagged and deposited for safe keeping and its owner, David Sperling, an attorney from Huntington, was contacted.
“Our Lost & Found operation depends on our employees who are responsible for turning in the items they find,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “We’re very proud of Conductor Pinkham, who did the right thing at the right time. His actions are in the highest tradition of LIRR customer service.”
Customers who lose an item are urged to file a report online by going to www.mta.info and following the link to the LIRR site. The LIRR Lost and Found Office is located at Penn Station and is open 7:20 AM to 7:20 PM, Monday through Friday. The phone number is 212-643-5228.
I feel Larry Pinkham, Jr, deserves a round of applause for showing honesty & integrity while doing his job. While his actions might not seem like a big deal, I feel it truly is as not everyone would have done the same thing. Unfortunately we are in a society that is filled with a lot of dishonesty & lack of integrity. So when positive displays of honesty & integrity are shown, they must be celebrated. Good job Larry & keep up the good work!
xoxo Transit Blogger
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