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MTA Will Test Fold-Away Benches To Cram More People Onto Your L Train
By
Emma Whitford
Published Oct 6, 2017
Modified Apr 23, 2018
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Billy Devine
By
Emma Whitford
Published Oct 6, 2017
Modified Apr 23, 2018
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The MTA is planning to retrofit one L train with fold-away benches that lock into place during rush hour for a more complete sardine can effect, the Daily News reports.
MTA spokesman Shams Tarek declined to comment to Gothamist on the report.
"Selected seat modifications on a small number of trains... is a pilot program that's only a part of Chairman Lhota's comprehensive Subway Action Plan," he told the tabloid.
MTA Chairman Joe Lhota's July MTA plan references a seat removal pilot on the L train and the 42nd Street shuttle. A timeline or scope for that pilot has not been made public.
Removing seats will increase capacity by 25 riders per car, according to the MTA.
The Daily News reports that the foldaway benches were previously tested back in 2008 but a rollout was nixed in the midst of budget cuts.
Earlier this week, the MTA unveiled revamped E train cars with fresh brakes, signature Governor Cuomo blue-and-yellow stripes, and fewer seats—part of a 100-car pilot on older R-160 trains. That pilot is predicted to increase the capacity of each train by between 80 and 100 passengers, according to the MTA.
"We... know that getting more passengers onto trains, in a more efficient manner, is absolutely essential," Lhota stated in conjunction with the E train announcement. "Which is why we're piloting the removal of select number of seats."
John Raskin, head of the Riders Alliance, said he appreciates the MTA's willingness to experiment.
"Long term, we need new transit funding from the Governor and state legislature so the MTA can buy modern equipment and run more trains," he stated. "But right now, with transit service in crisis, the MTA is right to experiment with creative ways to alleviate crowding and reduce delays. Not every move will be popular or successful, but in general experimenting with new ideas is a good thing and we should give the MTA a chance to succeed."
The Straphangers Campaign, another grassroots group that advocates for riders, is more apprehensive. Reviews from their members have been mixed.
"We're curious to see how well the pilot works but we remain cautious," said spokesperson Jaqi Cohen. "While overcrowding is a huge problem that must be addressed to improve subway service, solutions shouldn't come at the expense of riders who depend on a seat to travel long stretches, especially during rush hour."
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