Reviews of the G train shuttle: Complaints, accolades, transitions, issues, humor

August 1, 2014 By Matthew Taub Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn Brief

Pictured is a G train shuttle that assists with the stalled subway transportation that will take place until September. Photo by Will Sherman

Share this:

Assemblymember Joseph R. Lentol (D-North Brooklyn) met Wednesday with representatives from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Commanding Officer Captain James Ryan of the NYPD’s 94th Precinct to discuss solutions for relieving congestion of G train shuttle buses that have blocked traffic along Lorimer Street.

While the G train closure from Nassau Avenue to Court Square remains in effect, the shuttle buses being used to supplement service have used the corridor of Lorimer Street between Driggs and Nassau avenues as a staging and idling area, forcing buses to double park because of the high number of them in the area.

“As a result of buses double parking, drivers have been forced to drive in the wrong lane to pass,” Lentol said. “We received calls from constituents regarding the dangerous nature of this situation and I immediately reached out to the MTA to find a solution.”

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), MTA and the 94th Precinct are coordinating their efforts to block off a portion of parking along the northbound lane of Lorimer Street to temporarily allow for bus staging.

“I am happy we were able to find a solution to this problem so quickly. During this certainly inconvenient time for G-train riders, we must do everything we can to ensure that drivers are also not inconvenienced or put in harm’s way,” Lentol said.

Separately, state Sen. Squadron will be hosting a conference call on Aug. 4 to check in with the MTA and DOT on the effects of the shutdown.

Finally, through the advocacy of Squadron, Councilmember Steve Levin, Assemblymember Lentol and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the MTA is providing the following accommodations, in addition to a free shuttle bus between the affected stations: Provide riders with a free transfer between the Broadway G and Lorimer J/M stops; monitor B32 bus usage during the closure and possibly increase its frequency; and ensure planned service outages do not occur on the L, J, M or Z lines during the closure.

The section of the G train that travels between Brooklyn and Queens is closed for four more weeks in order to make repairs to sections damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Service is set to resume on Sept. 1. Shuttle buses have replaced out-of-service areas, with large crowds often gathering at staging and idling areas. The New York Times has also reported an increasing in bicycle ridership as an alternative mode of transportation. Additionally, the India Street ferry has finally been restored.