MTA Announces Express F Service to Return in 2017

On Tuesday the MTA announced that express service is set to return to the F line in Brooklyn beginning this summer and with full implementation in 2017. Express service was cancelled in 1987, but due to a political campaign led by City Council Member David Greenfield, who represents Borough Park, it will be reinstated during rush hour.

The change will save time for many south Brooklyn commuters, but it does mean that express trains will skip Bergen Street, Carroll Street, 4th Ave - Smith Street, and 4th Ave - 9th Street. According to the MTA's ridership data (below) these are some of the most heavily used F stations in Brooklyn. Every other train will go express, and since MTA is unable to run additional trains that means a 50% service reduction at local stations.

In MTA's analysis express stop riders will save an average of 3.4 minutes on trips into Manhattan, while local stop riders will add 1.3 minutes to their trip. In exchange, the agency claims local trains will be less crowded, which may be attractive to Bergen Street riders who sometimes must let packed trains pass them by.

Our local representatives Council Member Lander, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon released a joint statement with other officials expressing dismay at the decision and the MTA's opaque process.

Bergen Street has an express platform on the lower level that has sat defunct for years. The $75 million renovation required to open it to the public means it will not be an option MTA considers any time soon.

2015 MTA ridership data. Express stops in red.

All The MTA's Depressing Details About F Train Express, Like 50% Less Peak Service For Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens | Gothamist

"Harms More People Than It Helps": Brooklyn Officials Angry About F Train Express | Gothamist

(Includes full text of statements from officials in support and against)

Report: Feasibility and Analysis of F Express Service in Brooklyn | MTA