WINNERS:

1. F train riders - It’s another clear weekend on the F train. It almost seems bizarre to have an F train that is running with no problems whatsoever. Nevertheless, it is a second straight weekend of beautiful F train service. Rejoice from Jamaica Estates to Coney Island!

2. Western Queens - While not all of Queens is bereft of subway changes (more on that later), the sections of Queens stretching from the East River to Kew Gardens and Flushing has no service changes to speak of. The E, F, R, N, and 7 trains are all running normally into Manhattan. A fun weekend where you can transfer around Western Queens all you want and not have think about it.

3. L train riders - It’s a nice smooth weekend on the L. I must confess that I don’t know why L train work proceeds at such a stop-and-go pace. It would be much easier if the repair work was carried out on consecutive weekends so that people have a time table for the work and get used to one service pattern or another. Well, for at least one week, all is normal on the L.

LOSERS:

1. Woodhaven and Richmond Hill - Two of the most remote neighborhoods served by the NYC subway system just got more remote. There is no J train service between Crescent St. and Jamaica Center in either direction. Not only are these neighborhoods remote but they are only served by the J train. There will be buses running to Jamaica-Van Wyck for those that get into Midtown via the E at Jamaica. It’s a long trip normally to Midtown from Woodhaven and Richmond Hill and it just got longer.

2. Clinton Hill - You are losing your G train in Clinton Hill this weekend. There’s no service between Bedford-Nostrand and Smith-9 Sts. And for Bed-Stuy, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint residents thinking about heading to Downtown Brooklyn, don’t take the G. It will only get you as far as Bed-Stuy before shuttle bus service takes over.

3. Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights - Yet another weekend of rerouted N train service in southern Brooklyn. Unfortunately, it is Manhattan-bound N service that runs on the D this weekend so if you need to get to work in Manhattan this weekend you’re going to have to give yourself a lot of extra time to go to New Utrecht Ave or to Coney Island and then double back on the D train line. It’s a long trip from Bensonhurst this weekend. Stay strong out there in Brooklyn.

Testing, testing

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WINNERS:

1. Astoria - Not only has Astoria escaped any services changes for all but a few days of the year, they are reaping the benefits of the 7 train changes. Because the 7 is terminating at Queensboro Plaza, the Q train is extended into Queens to help ease the load on the N train. For Astoria riders, that means you have twice as many trains as a usual weekend to choose from. Happy Memorial Day Astoria!

2. F Train riders - Life has been tough on the F train this year, especially for folks in areas like Roosevelt Island and Park Slope. Well in a seemingly rare event, F train service is normal in both directions. It’s a welcome sigh of relief for residents that have seen their share of problems.

3. L train riders - This weekend brings a quiet weekend on the L. No doubt there will be massive service changes to make up for such an easy holiday weekend on the L.

LOSERS:

1. Staten Island - It’s another double insult weekend. There is no 1 train service to South Ferry for the entire holiday weekend (including Memorial Day). In fact, it’s the only service change being carried over until Memorial Day. Add to that the fact that R trains are only running uptown past Whitehall St. means that the only way to get to the ferry is the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green. Quite a change from last weekend when the N, Q, and R were running past Whitehall.

2. 7 train riders - The 7 and the L just seem to be trading good weekends with bad ones. This weekend, the 7 makes no foray into Manhattan at all. Long Island City residents can choose to take the E from 23 St-Ely or take the shuttle bus to Queensboro. For those further into Queens, your best bet is to transfer at 74 St or at Queensboro Plaza where the N AND Q will help serve stranded 7 riders. Come home soon Mets!

3. Times Square - What is the problem with Times Square this weekend? Somehow, there is not a single express train stopping at Times Square this weekend. A train? Nope, it’s running local because there is no C train. Where’s the 2 or 3? They are running local because the 1 train is using the express tracks at 14 St to turn around and head back to the Bronx. And the Q train? it’s on the local track so that it can run to Astoria to help out 7 riders stuck at Queensboro Plaza. So there it is, only local service at Times Sq this weekend.

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Well it is a busy weekend again. I think the bears are beating the bulls so to speak this weekend. Let us waste no time, here are the winners and losers!

WINNERS:

1. D train riders - Not only does the D have no changes this weekend at all (thanks subway series) but Coney Island-bound riders have some extra service as N trains headed to Coney are also running on the D. Though be careful if you’re picking up the N in Manhattan, it is running via Whitehall instead of the Manhattan Bridge. Just stick your old friend the D train.

2. 7 train riders - Wait, the Mets are away and there still aren’t any service changes? Perhaps the MTA is finishing some of its large-scale projects on the Flushing line. Anyways, it is a weekend of no changes AND no Mets fans. Happy days in Queens.

3. Ridgewood and Middle Village - Well, it’s come to this. Every other train in the system has some kind of changes, so I’m left with the only other winner being the M train; a train that makes all of 8 stops normally. While I wouldn’t call the weekend service on the M train optimal. Middle Village residents could no doubt appreciate a train that gets all the way to Manhattan. But, while the service isn’t great, it is normal this weekend. Plus the J train is running normally to Chambers St. Plus for Bushwick residents, the M can provide an alternative to the messy L train service. And speak of the devil….

LOSERS:

1. L train riders - well it’s back. Transfer at Bedford Ave with 15 minute wait to get to Union Sq. It’s been done before so there’s not much to say about it. Stay strong Brooklyn, one day you’ll have a normal L train.

2. Queens Blvd riders - Things are complicated on the E, F, and R this weekend. For one, there is no express service on Queens Blvd. E and F trains run local so allow some extra time for that. Plus, the R train terminus this weekend is Queens Plaza, so if you need the Broadway line, you’ve gotta catch the E train and transfer at Queens Plaza. But things are even more interesting getting to Queens on the E or F. Think of it like this, if you are traveling from Queens, everything is normal (though local). However, getting back to Queens, both the E and F act like V trains from the Lower East Side to Forest Hills. E and F trains run from 2 Ave, up 6th Ave, and across 53 St and then run local to Jamaica. So no Queens-bound service from 8 Ave or from 63 St/Roosevelt Island. Got that? If not, just check out that map.

3. Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst - The Brooklyn neighborhoods served by the N train have a tough time this weekend. Coney Island-bound N trains are running on the D, so to get home to Bensonhurst you have to take the N or D to Coney Island and double back on the N. That’s a LONG trip home. Dyker Heights residents and those who live in parts of Sunset Park and Borough Park have it a little easier because they can transfer at New Utrecht Ave but it’s still a long trip. Relax on the trip home because it’ll be a long one.

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The winners have more to celebrate this weekend than anyone else so thank goodness the MTA is done with some of these major projects. So without further ado, here are the winners:

WINNERS:

1. The Rockaways - The Far Rockaway residents have quietly gotten screwed the past month and a half with A trains running to Rockaway Park instead of Mott Ave. But this week brings the restoration of normal A and Shuttle train service in the Rockaways. Plus, this Monday, May 12 will inaugurate the new Far Rockaway-Brooklyn Army Terminal-Wall Street ferry service. It’s a Water Taxi venture that is providing a 1 hour/$6 one-way trip from Riis Landing (near the Gil Hodges Bridge). Not only is it a good option for Rockaway Point/Park residents, it might be a good deal for Gerritsen/Marine Park residents too. Time will tell if folks are willing to pay more for a commute that may not be any shorter than their current one. Though it is probably a very pleasant ride.

2. Flatbush/Lefferts Gardens - You folks in the heart of Brooklyn have had a hard time determining what is going on the past month and a half. All the changes with the 2 train have wreaked havoc on the passengers at the end of the 2 train. Finally all that is over and you can enjoy a nice easy commute to Manhattan’s west side. Just be wary, all 2 and 3 trains are running local in Manhattan.

3. L Train riders - Perhaps this time, the work on the tunnel and 8 Ave terminal will end for good. Whether it does or not remains to be seen, but for now enjoy the easy ride on the L line all the way to from Canarsie to The Village.

LOSERS:

1. Staten Island - The MTA seems to know how to get to Staten Island Ferry riders. Not only is the 1 train suspended and the ever-present shuttle buses make their return along Water St, but uptown R trains are using the Manhattan Bridge and bypassing Lower Manhattan. basically, once you get off the the ferry the closest uptown subway station is Bowling Green, which means there is no direct route from the Ferry to the West Side of Manhattan. Better luck next weekend.

2. Upper East Side/Spanish Harlem - The downtown 6 train is running express from 125 St to Grand Central again so be prepared for some big crowds at 6 train local stops. It’s going to be a circuitous route downtown from El Barrio this weekend, which is made even worse by the fact that the 6 train is the only option for this part of town. It is an isolated stretch of track; just as isolated as Flushing or Pelham. Allow some extra time on the East Side.

3. Borough Park, New Utrecht, Bath Beach, & Bensonhurst - South Brooklyn neighborhoods on the D train will have to find another way home this weekend as Coney Island-bound D trains are running on the N. Borough Park residents can just take the D to New Utrecht Ave and change to an uptown D train. But Dyker Heights, New Utrecht, Bath Beach, and Bensonhurst residents will have to go all the way to Coney Island and then come back. For an already long commute, it’s a tough addition at the end of a long day.

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Well this week doesn’t seem to have nearly as many obscene train disruptions as last week, there are still the ever-present yellow/orange signs plastered all over the walls of stations throughout New York. So let’s see who avoids the work crews and who gets a chance to meet their friendly neighborhood MTA trackworker.

WINNERS:

1. 4 train riders - While the 5 and the 2 are doing their dance this weekend, and the 1, 6, and 7 all have express runs somewhere along the line, the 4 just goes along its merry way. The only 4 change is that it is local from Franklin Ave all the way to New Lots Ave to replace the truncated 3. So while 2 and 5 dosey-do, the 4 will just cruise past on that express track.

2. Bronx D train neighborhoods (Concourse, Bedford Park, Tremont, etc.) - The D had its troubles in late 2007, but this route has been one of the most reliable in the year 2008. D train service is normal in the Bronx and Manhattan (enjoy that sweet express run) with only a small shutdown near Coney Island on Saturday. So for those in the Bronx, life is good on the D train these days.

3. N train riders - It’s a straight shot on the N from Astoria to Coney Island. This has been another reliable line in 2008 and it continues to be so. The Astoria section especially has been quiet for a few years now. Also N train riders, did you know the Queensboro bridge turned 100 last month (March 31st technically)? Happy belated birthday 59th St Bridge! But if you missed a party opportunity don’t worry, the Manhattan Bridge turns 100 next year.

LOSERS:

1. A train riders - It’s a tough weekend to ride the A. Once again, the ends are cut off with Washington Heights/Inwood and Far Rockaway receiving no service. There is also no C train again this weekend so the A is local for the whole run from 168 St to Rockaway Park. Except of course for Bed-Stuy and Ft. Greene residents who have Manhattan-bound trains bypass the local stops between Utica and Hoyt-Schemerhorn. For Bed-Stuy residents it will be a bypassed station and a lost express train this weekend. Tough break.

2. L train riders (again) - your favorite is back. Once again, trains stop at Bedford Ave where you wait 15 minutes for a train to Union Sq and no further. There’s not much more to say except to hope it all gets better soon.

3. Morissania, Longwood, and Melrose - I am gonna give the third loser label to these South Bronx neighborhoods because the 2 and 5 are having a rather long Manhattan-bound express run. Skipping seven local stations on the way to Manhattan is significant. I always think an inbound express run is more frustrating than an outbound one because I hate getting up early more than I hate getting home late. I’m usually happier taking extra time on the way home so I’m happy to not live in Morissania, Melrose, or Longwood this weekend. Those going to Manhattan will have to take an uptown train to 180 St and double back, or just walk over to the 6 train.

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