Jan 9, 2019 2 min read News

Tell The Speaker About Your Transit Woes

Straphangers can scan the bar code for access to the 14-point questionnaire on subway performance.

BAY RIDGE — This week, Speaker and Acting Public Advocate Corey Johnson launched a five-borough subway service series with Brooklyn as its second stop.

Johnson and Councilman Justin Bannan distributed leaflets at the 77th Street R line station Tuesday evening with hopes of getting commuter feedback. Johnson intends to present the data to the MTA and Andy Byford. Johnson said it would take a few weeks to compile the data but hopes to present within 60 days.

“I’m not sure they’re going to be any really big surprises,” said Johnson who noted delays and station conditions are among the top complaints from riders.

Johnson also noted that without municipal control of the MTA they “can’t really fix these things,” fueling the “Who runs the MTA?” debate. The ongoing conversation surfaced last week when Gov. Cuomo, who single-handedly canceled the L-train shutdown, recanted a bit saying he needs the MTA Board’s approval.

Brannan, who called for city control over the MTA when he ran for Council, often sounds off on social media about service interruptions in Southern Brooklyn. Last November, just one station away from the 77th St. station, at 86th St., service was disrupted when a wall collapsed onto the tracks. Last summer, commuters on the R and N lines ran into unexpected delays during the morning rush hour when the MTA failed to announce a year-long tunnel rehab.

Speaker and Acting Public Advocate Corey Johnson and City Councilman Justin Brannan at the 77th St. R train station passing out subway rider surveys.

“There’s no secret the subways are a mess,” he said. “This is like going to the doctor to see where does it hurt exactly.”

In May, the MTA announced a $37 billion plan to “modernize New York City transit,” which would replace the failing antiquated signal system, increase the number of subway cars, change how passengers pay fares and add elevators to non-accessible stations. Of the 122 neighborhoods in New York City, 62 do not have accessible train stations. Brooklyn leads with 22 neighborhoods without a single accessible station, according to a report from the city’s comptroller’s office.

More than 1300 people have completed the survey so far. You can add your two cents here. Johnson will continue his rounds on Staten Island today, Manhattan on Thursday and the Bronx on Friday.