New Study Tells Us What We Know: The F Train Is Slow, And The G Is Getting Slower

The number of delays in subway trains reaching stops on time increased from last summer to this one, says a recent article in amNY, and our local lines are among the worst offenders.

The article, based on studies conducted from August 2013 to July of this year, discusses how much of the time trains running on specific lines arrive at their designated stops according to schedule. The sad results? Only 70.8% of F trains arrived on time, the third worst of all lines, after the 5 and the A.

Although the G didn’t rank as one of the absolute worst in the system yet, it did rank number one for an increased number of delays over the past year, with 8% fewer trains now running on time.

The good news is the article says two local lines also rank among the best in the system — the N at 80.4% and the R at 82.9% on time. (Is it good news, actually, when about 1/5 of “best scenario” trains are behind schedule?)

MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz tells amNY that the two most common causes of trains being delayed on the way to their next stop are commuters not boarding in time (holding doors open, etc.) and track crews at work on lines while trains are still running. So, in theory, one cause is easily preventable (although you may or may not choose, depending on whether you’re wearing a helmet, to convince people to be considerate of others in subway stations and trains) — and one cause still allows for ever-satisfying frustration with the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Dammit, guys fixing the tracks!

Do the published results of amNY’s study align with your experiences on area subway lines?