“This is a local, NOWHERE bound, 7 train…next stop, TORTURE ST.”
The 7 train? The 7 PAIN! I live at the last stop of this dysfunctional train, Flushing-Main St. My morning commute to school on a local train should take 40 minutes. Fine, there are a lot of stops along the way to Times Square, the 7’s last stop in Manhattan. On the express train, on a “normal” day, the ride takes 20-25 minutes. Not too bad. Except that there never is a “normal” day on the 7. I would like to know why, and would like to receive any tips/advice from people who can tell me how to not to jump into the tracks while waiting for the train to run “normally.”
The 6 train, which runs along the east side of Manhattan, is nice and clean, with an automated voice (a lovely, female voice) that tells passengers the time, the next stop, and to “Stand clear of the closing doors, please.” Why is this train so new? So efficient? And who are the decision makers among the MTA that choose which trains get renovated and updated? Why is the 7 being neglected?
The 7 has NEVER, and I do not exaggerate, NEVER, run exactly on time for me. I have lived at Flushing- Main St. my whole life, (except for the years I was away at school), and there is ALWAYS a problem with the service. I should not have to be leaving my house at 9:00 am to get to class in Times Square at 12:30pm. (Today I left my house at 11 am. Got here at 12:30pm. This is absurd).
Something must be done, money must be set aside for the 7. I demand it! My education depends on it! I do not want to be late for class, but cannot wait on the 7 like I did today for 40 minutes in one station, due to “signal malfunctions.” The passengers of the 7 deserve better service. When will it come?
September 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Alana, here is the MTA Customer Information Page: http://www.mta.info/faqs.htm. If you don’t find your answer in the frequently asked questions section, email them here: http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php. I’m not sure what their turnaround time is, but feel free to try it. Let us know if you get an answer
. I normally take the 1, 4 and 6 trains. Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer about the 7 train. I liked your opening rhyme – who would’ve thought there’s creativity in complaining about the 7 train 
.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
How’d you take that picture?
September 16th, 2008 at 7:36 am
It should take me 30 min to get to Times Square on the local 7. Today it took me AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES. Due to a stalled train, I was delayed for almost half an hour, and then had to get off at Queensboro because the train wasn’t going any further because they still hasn’t resolved the problem with the one that was stalled. So then I switched to the W…WHICH ALSO GOT DELAYED!! Seriously, what are the odds that I get on TWO trains that get delayed?? I demand better service from the MTA. I feel for everyone that has to suffer a miserable ride on the 7 every morning.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:03 am
NYPIRG’s Strapphangers’ Campaign is a respected transit riders’ advocacy group. They claim the 7 is the second best line in the city!
Current report, forum for meeting other concerned riders and general 7 line fun here:
http://www.straphangers.org/lines/7.html
they also have useful-looking advice for making effective complaints:
http://www.straphangers.org/complaints.html