Well the Straphanger’s Campaign has released the most eagerly anticipated press release of the year: The annual state of the subway report. This year’s report sees a rise to the top for the L train with the 7 train in a close but not too close second. It’s the first time the L has taken first place since 2003.

There are all kinds of things that can be learned from this report. The most obvious first point is that, for the 7 and L trains, individual line managers are a good thing. You may remember that the MTA has a pilot program that has given the 7 and L line managers that are responsible for their specific line’s performance and nothing else. This is easy on the 7 and L where the track is isolated and does not interact with any other trains so a line manager works well. It remains to be seen whether this will work on less isolated lines. And remember, the L and 7 were second and third in last year’s rankings so they didn’t exactly shoot up the charts. It seems more likely that last year’s winner, the 1 train, simply got worse during the year.

And yes there were some that moved down the list, most notably the 1 and 4. Each train dropped 3 spots with the 4’s performance no doubt being affected by the fact that 4 now ranks dead last in regularity of service. The G also doesn’t even make the list beacause, according to Straphanger’s, there was no good data on crowding on the G. Though the G does rank dead last in cleanliness, clear announcements, and time between trains.

Overall, the reports keep coming that the quality of subway service is declining due to the budget gaps facing the MTA. And with such little support for any fare hike from the public or politicians, but no extra funds coming either, it certainly seems as if things will get worse before they get better.

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Well the numbers are sort of depressing when it comes to on time performance for the NYC subway. According to the MTA’s somewhat dubious reporting (the delays and reasons for them are reported by the conductors, not independent analysis) delays are up 24% from this time last year. That’s a huge figure. And according to that report. 30% of all 4 trains arrive at their terminal delayed. And that does not count trains that may be delayed along the way in Manhattan and make up time in Brooklyn and The Bronx. It’s a pretty poor state of affairs. One of the reasons given for the delays is “customers holding doors” which is a wording I always wonder about. I see customers hold the doors so that friends can arrive up/down the stairs, but that only delays the trains 30 seconds at the most. So I can only assume that they mean customers that are on trains so crowded that they can’t fit on the train and get some part of their person caught in the closing doors. So perhaps it’s not so much customer’s fault but the fault of the MTA for not being able to operate trains at less than 105% capacity.

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WINNERS:

The Bronx - I debated this one but ultimately decided that whenever every station in a borough has regular service, that borough gets ultimate winner status. There are no changes in the Bronx this weekend for 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and D trains. What’s the catch? As soon as the 1 train enters Manhattan you will be put on a bus to 137 St. And 6 train riders coming from Manhattan may have to get off at 125 St and wait for a 6 that is going to Pelham Bay. There’s always a catch.

L Train Riders - Let’s give credit where credit is due. For much of March and April, weekends on the L train were a chore. But since mid-May or so, the L train has seen no weekend disruptions and it continues this weekend. So keep your chin up J, N, and F train riders. Sure it’s been a rough few months (or longer) but someday, you might get regular service like those lucky sods on the L train.

D Train Riders - Once again, there is no change to D train service. Plus the ever-present South Brooklyn N train changes means that you’ll see a train to Manhattan twice as often in South Brooklyn. Good times on the West End/6th Ave line.

LOSERS:

Woodhaven and Richmond Hill - I am going to keep trumpeting the cause of these poor souls until someone notices. This is now the seventh weekend of no J train service between Crescent St. and Jamaica Center. This is crippling for the good folks of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. Where is John Liu when you need him? Councilman Liu (not to mention Eric Gioia) are both great at sticking up for their constituents when the 7 train is on the fritz. Well Woodhaven and Richmond Hill deserve the same advocacy from their elected officials. So let Councilman Joseph P. Addabbo and Councilman Anthony Como know that you are sick and tired of them not speaking up for you. I can tell you from experience that when my councilmen and women in Queens have press conferences about the MTA sticking it to 7 train riders, the response from the MTA is better. Stay strong in Woodhaven and Richmond Hill.

Bensonhurst - It’s another long commute this weekend on the N train in Bensonhurst, and this time it’s Manhattan-bound service that is affected which I always find more frustrating than outbound service disruptions. This change has been going on intermittently for almost a year now it seems like. Who knows how long it has been but it’s tough for Bensonhurst residents that don’t have cars and rely on the MTA.

Washington Heights and Inwood - Upper Manhattan has been plagued by a loss of A train service entirely above 168 St, or a loss of C train service causing the A to run local. Well the A and C are back to normal in Upper Manhattan. Downtown C trains even runs express from 125 to 59 Sts. So what’s the problem? There is no 1 train service between 215 St and 137 St making the A and C your only option. Normally having 1 of 2 lines disrupted isn’t enough to get loser status but Washington Heights and Inwood have been yo-yo’d around a lot recently and it’s one step forward and one step back this weekend.

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WINNERS:

A and C Train Riders - Hallelujah! There’s finally a reprieve for all of the poor riders of the A and C train. Far Rockaway and Ozone Park all have their express service. Washington Heights gets full service, and everyone on the line gets express service. It will only last for one weekend so enjoy it while it lasts.

D and F train Riders - D and F have been pretty consistent in the past month and they continue that trend. And since the V and B don’t run on weekends, all of the 6th Avenue lines are running normal. Plus the R is running downtown on the 6th Ave for extra service. Enjoy it kids.

Woodhaven and Richmond Hill - Well, it is a one weekend break for the battered residents of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. The lack of service will return next weekend, but the MTA was feeling generous this weekend and has returned regular service. Enjoy it while it lasts.

LOSERS:

R Train Riders - Well, the R certainly is a mess this weekend. It is running normal FROM Bay Ridge TO Forest Hills, but going southbound, it is running via Queens Plaza, 53rd St, 6th Ave, and the Manhattan Bridge. It’s kind of a mess out there. It appears as if it is only a one weekend thing. For now.

Allerton and Williambridge - It’s always difficult when your train skips you going towards Manhattan. Allerton and Williamsbridge residents have been dealing with this for a few weekends now as the two train has skipped 4 station in the Bronx while Manhattan-bound. Never fun.

Bensonhurst - It’s another weekend of no N train in one direction while it is rerouted onto the D track between Coney Island and 36 St. This has been going on more or less for a couple of years now and must be getting aggravating.

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