The MTA on Monday announced schedule changes underway for certain subway lines to better meet the needs of New Yorkers “post-COVID travel.”
The changes will add scheduled trips to Lines G, J and M on weekends – improving train headway by up to 2 minutes, the MTA said.
Additionally, New York City Transit is proposing an earlier start of the A and C-Express/local rush service on weekdays, with the Manhattan-bound A-Express service starting a trip earlier during the morning rush to accommodate drivers in east Queens and to help the Rockaways. To complement this early A fast start, a rush hour C ride will be rescheduled to an earlier morning.
To accommodate these additional scheduled trips, NYC Transit will strategically reduce Monday and Friday scheduled trips on Lines 1, 6, 7, E, F, L and Q.
These changes reflect an overall consistently lower ridership on Mondays and Fridays, where ridership recovery has proven to be the slowest, than on weekdays as hybrid office work becomes a growing trend.
“We are continually analyzing passenger patterns to better serve passengers,” said Richard Davey, President of New York City Transit. “These adjustments reflect a higher recovery in ridership on weekends and lower relative ridership on Mondays and Fridays in the post-COVID hybrid work era. As riders continue to return to transit and patterns change, New York City Transit will adjust service accordingly as we strive to provide faster, cleaner, and safer rides.”
Weekend subway czar Jose LaSalle of New York City Transit Weekend shared similar views, saying in a statement: “Discretionary travel has spearheaded the subway’s recovery from the depths of its pandemic slump, with ridership recovering over the weekend weekdays.” has surpassed. The increase in weekend trips on the G, J, and M lines will make it easier for Brooklyn and Queens drivers to get around the city.”
The changes are expected to come into effect in June 2023.