NYCT concludes G subway line needs additional afternoon service

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) plans to expand and improve service on its G subway line following a comprehensive review of the line.

Agency officials concluded there are "several opportunities to improve service, including additional trains during the afternoon peak period to operate every eight minutes instead of every 10," according to an NYCT press release. The service improvements are contingent upon finding an additional $700,000 to pay for them, agency officials said.

The review studied all aspects of subway service on the line, including schedule conflicts with other trains that use the same tracks, how personnel prepare trains to enter service at terminals and where trains stop at 21 locations. New York State Sens. Daniel Squadron and Martin Malavé Dilan requested the review.

The review found that G train ridership, while growing, is "relatively light" compared with other subway lines, NYCT officials said. Hurricane Sandy severely damaged the line's northern section, which will require extensive restoration to remove and replace damaged equipment. The work means the line will be shut down for 12 weekends in 2013 and five weeks in summer 2014, NYCT officials said.

"The G line is a vital connection for customers in fast-growing parts of our service area, and this review will be an important tool for making [short- and long-term] improvements to our service," said MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast.