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Don't Be Fooled: B61 = B62!

The MTA has split the B61 in a Solomonic move. The B61 now runs from Red Hook to Downtown Brooklyn, while the B62 takes the northern portion of the route from Downtown Brooklyn to Queens Plaza. This will hopefully reduce the bunching of buses together and keep them closer to the posted schedule.

We have heard some initial reports of the drivers being confused about some minor rerouting (the bus is supposed to stop closer to the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza to increase the ease of transfer to the J train) and of confused riders. So spread the word!

We have sent a request to the MTA for comment on the driver training and public notification.

Photo by bitchcakes under creative commons license

Guest Post by Assm. Joe Lentol on MTA Situation

Assemblyman Joe Lentol Responds to MTA's Vote on Fare Hikes

I, like you, am extremely upset that the mass transit situation in New York City has gotten to this dire point. I want my constituents and neighbors to know that I have been doing everything in my power to save the subway system including regular dialogues with MTA Chair Eliot Sander and with the architect of the bailout plan Richard Ravitch. I have even brought Mr. Ravitch into our neighborhoods to ride the G train so he could experience the G train's shortcomings for himself. I have emphasized the importance of the B48 and the B24 to both the MTA and Mr. Ravitch. I have discussed many times how important it is to keep fares low and trains and buses running regularly, in order to keep this city and working families afloat. New York City is the engine of the state, and the transit system is the engine of the New York City. We cannot let the MTA go under.

So most importantly, I have supported the bailout plan put forth by the Assembly and supported by the MTA. The Assembly plan would keep the transit system running, keep fares low, prevent service cuts to buses and subways and adequately fund the MTA capital plan. While it does put tolls on the bridges it keeps them low, $2.00, the same as a subway ride. This plan has been supported by many of our city newspapers' editorial boards and transportation advocacy groups. I understand how absolutely vital affordable subway and bus transportation is to Brooklyn families. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that New Yorkers continue to have access to this essential resource.

I want to assure you that the clock has not yet run out. The fare increase is not scheduled to take effect until the end of May. While there is absolutely no excuse for letting it get this far, time has not run out, there is still time to save the system. There is still time for others in government to come around and accept the Assembly's plan or for us to forge a new plan if that is what it takes. I will do whatever necessary to assist with this up in Albany. In the meantime I want to encourage you to make your voices heard. Everyone, at all levels of government, needs to understand, as many of us already do, just how important this is to New Yorkers. Together we can make sure that the subway and buses get the help they need, just in time.

-Assemblymember Joseph R. Lentol

Stop cuts to subway and bus service-- contact your representatives now!

If we want to avoid major service cuts on the G train and L train weekends and late nights, the ending of the B39, the ending of B48 weekend service, and the complete end of the Z train, the State legislature needs to fully fund the MTA.

Call your legislators (numbers below) and tell them that half measures are not enough. It is up to the state government to find a responsible way to fund transit. We need more transit service than we have now in this growing neighborhood, not less.

State Senator Martin Malave-Dilan: (718) 573-1726
State Senator Daniel Squadron: (212) 298-5565
Assemblymember Joe Lentol: (718) 383-7474

It's Official: L and G Subway Stations Have Had Dramatic Increase in Ridership

According to Transit Overload, a new report by the Center for an Urban Future:

• The Bedford Avenue L saw the greatest increase in the average number of weekday riders from 1998-2008.
• The L train has 13 of the 50 fastest growing stations- the most of any line.
• The G train has 4 of the 50 fastest growing stations - in 8th place out of 26 lines.

It's time for better service, yet we are facing massive service cuts to the MTA. You can take two actions.

1. Call your state legislators (numbers below) and tell them that half measures are not enough. It is up to the state government to find a responsible way to fund transit. We need more transit service than we have now in this growing neighborhood, not less.

State Senator Martin Malave-Dilan: (718) 573-1726
State Senator Daniel Squadron: (212) 298-5565
Assemblymember Joe Lentol: (718) 383-7474

2. Attend the Transportation Organizing Group meeting this Thursday, March 12.
Join our us at our next meeting to discuss how to fight the MTA cuts, as well as our plans for safety trainings this summer and the Forum for Urban Design's Bike Share program, coming to our neighborhood.
Meeting is Thursday March 12 at 7pm at the NAG office (101 Kent Ave @ N 8th Street)
For more information: contact Lacey and Alex at transportation@nag-brooklyn.org