Railroad Forums 

Discussion relating to the past and present operations of the NYC Subway, PATH, and Staten Island Railway (SIRT).

Moderator: GirlOnTheTrain

 #1454935  by GirlOnTheTrain
 
Few physical structures embody the divisions in the city as plainly as the subway system, where the haves and have-nots frequently correlate with which neighborhood has or does not have stops. Subway deserts stretch along the easternmost reaches of Queens, the North Bronx and across coastal Brooklyn to name a few places. The dearth of subways disproportionately affects residents of high-density, low-income neighborhoods, but also blue-collar bedroom communities in Queens where the hours and gas money saved on public transportation could make a meaningful difference.
Not exactly earth shattering news, especially if you live in one of these "transit deserts"...but an interesting article nonetheless.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/nyre ... serts.html
 #1454940  by MACTRAXX
 
G/T and Everyone:

What makes this subject interesting is wondering just how many of those underserved areas of the
Boroughs were the result of NIMBY opposition to proposed NYC Subway extensions or new lines...

To me the best example is the lack of direct NYC Subway service to JFK and LGA - with the N route
extension from Astoria to LGA being the prime example of opposition by NIMBYs along the proposed route. One only wonders how a direct LGA link could have helped perhaps ease some traffic during
prime travel times with the significant construction there - and at JFK had a spur from the A route
been built from Aqueduct or Howard Beach instead of the Airtrain...

Hopefully today the mindset is different in that a majority of NYC residents and transit users
welcome the construction of new Subway routes instead of opposing them. The trouble today
is that any new line(s) are very expensive and with current line segments needing major work
(The coming L train shutdown perhaps being the best example) that will compete for funding.

Future extensions or new services may not be affordable with money that is available especially
if there is anti-mass transit sentiment at the levels of government funding transport...

Remember - in NYC if you build an adequate Subway route the riders will definitely be there...
MACTRAXX