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2, 5 Trains Had Most "Controllable" Delays, According To Study Of MTA Alerts
By
Jen Chung
Published May 9, 2012
Modified May 9, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 9, 2012
Modified May 9, 2012
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Hey, to all the 2 train riders who think their commutes suck most—you have some statistical proof now! The Straphangers Campaign released a study of the nearly 5,000 alerts the MTA issued last year and found that the 2 train had the "most controllable significant incidents in 2011."
According to the Straphangers, the MTA issued 4,937 alerts last year, and after removing "irrelevant alerts," the advocacy group dug into the remaining 4,580 alerts. They grouped them into two types: "The first was “controllable,” including such things as signal or mechanical problems. The second was “uncontrollable,” such as police activity or sick passenger. The Campaign concluded it was not fair to hold transit officials accountable for many of these uncontrollable incidents. As a result, the Campaign eliminated all 1,613 alerts of uncontrollable incidents — 35% of the total 4,580 alerts." Leaving 2,967 controllable tips of incidents. Here's what they found:
- The 2 line had the most controllable significant incidents in 2011. The 2 line accounted for 251 out of 2,967, or 8% of all controllable significant incidents.
- *The 5 line came in a close second, with 247 controllable significant incidents. This was also 8% of all controllable significant incidents.*The G line had the fewest controllable significant incidents in 2011. The G line accounted for 45, or 2%, of all controllable significant incidents.The most frequently occurring type of controllable significant incidents in 2011 was signal problems. This reason accounted for 36% of all controllable significant incidents.Manhattan was the borough in 2011 with the most controllable significant incidents. The borough accounted for 43% (1,279 total) of all controllable significant incidents.
- The Bronx was the borough in 2011 with the fewest controllable significant incidents. The borough accounted for 11% (333 total) of all controllable significant incidents.
Cate Contino, coordinator for the Straphangers, said, "Some riders will see this as a poor level of performance. Others may grudgingly view this amount of incidents as tolerable. Either way, 2011 will serve as a baseline for future years, showing whether significant incidents have gotten worse, better or stayed the same."
The Straphangers Campaign also wants more information to find out: "Is there a relationship between the number of significant incidents and the amount of service provided by line? Are there explanations for why signal and mechanical problems constitute more than two-thirds of all significant controllable incidents? Is there a relationship between the number of significant incidents and whether a line shares part of its right-of-way? Are the number of alerts increased on lines undergoing major rebuilding, due to related service problems?"
You can see PDF tables of the data here (One, Two, Three). But for the data lovers, you can download a Excel of the data here.
Tagged
2 train
5 train
delays
g train
MTA
straphangers campaign
subway
subway alerts
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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