As a result of the new local decentralized leadership, increased ridership at non-peak hours, and pressure from elected leaders, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)’s #7 train has increased its weekend service, State Senator John D. Sabini (D/I-Queens) announced today.
The agency will now run increased trains from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Sundays. Wait times will decrease an average of 2-3 minutes between each train during these periods.
“It’s high time that weekend riders were given the same quality of service that weekday riders receive,” Senator Sabini said. “They pay the same fare, and they should get the same service. Many of my constituents need to take the train on weekends, whether for work or for recreation, and these extensions will save them valuable time on their commutes.”
Senator Sabini, as the ranking member on the Senate’s Transportation Committee, has direct oversight over the MTA, and ensuring that straphangers have reliable, safe, and affordable mass transit has always been one of his top priorities.
“Mass transit is for just that – the masses,” Sabini said. “Improved services reduce the burden on working families who rely on the train every day to get to work and school. The #7 train’s riders are the backbone of Queens. I’m happy about this service improvement, and I’m working hard to make sure your commute is as convenient and reliable as possible.”
In April, Senator Sabini hosted informational forums with the new general manager of the #7 train, Lou Brusati. The forums were “about empowering people and making sure their voices are heard,” Sabini said. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of Brusati about #7 train service.
The #7 is the main method of public transit for much of Queens. The train is unique in that it carries a whopping 400,000 riders a day and offers few transfers.
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