Lattes on the L-Line

If you’ve lived in New York for any recent stretch of time, chances are that you’ve heard horror stories of the L Train’s service from Brooklyn to Manhattan. The beleaguered train line was extensively damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and has been the focus of endless discussions on how to repair it without significantly impacting travel between the boroughs.

What New Yorkers Have to Say About L-Line Service

 

To get an inside look at how New Yorkers really feel about the L Train, Prevu Agent Macie Barnes boarded the subway platform armed with pumpkin spice lattes to get people’s thoughts over a cup of coffee (pro tip - if you’re ever trying to get someone’s attention in NYC, bring coffee).

Macie chatted with people who’ve lived along the L-line for decades, as well as recent transplants. Overall, the crowd seemed content with service and enjoyed living in their Brooklyn neighborhoods. None had anything negative to say about the commute or locale.

L Train Improvement Updates

News of the L Train’s demise has been greatly exaggerated. While a 15- to 18-month project has been underway since April 2019 to repair the L-line, service has not been suspended during this time. Initial plans involved a complete shutdown of the train while work was underway, but Governor Cuomo stepped in along with a panel of experts to find a new path forward. The updated plan continued regular service during the weekday commute, and reduced service to 20-minute intervals on nights and weekends, significantly minimizing disruptions.

While there have only been minor disruptions to service along the L-Line, travelers will be happy to note that full service is expected to resume ahead of schedule. The first phase of the L Train project was completed early, and the next phase is expected to finish in April 2020, which is three months earlier than expected.

The refreshed Canarsie tunnel, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan, will have fire-resistant cables suspended from metal racks along the tunnel. The bench wall that had been damaged in Hurricane Sandy is being repaired with fiber-reinforced polymer, and the tracks themselves are being replaced to improve rail conditions. All of these updates will create a safer, more efficient NYC subway system.

Getting from Brooklyn to Manhattan

While the L Train is still a great way to get from Brooklyn to Manhattan, there are other forms of transport available for those who are interested. During the L-Train Tunnel project, many riders have taken advantage of the M, 7, and G train lines, which have added service to accommodate the influx of new passengers.

There is also the Williamsburg Link bus, which connects the Bedford Avenue subway station with the Marcy Avenue station for riders catching the J and M trains.

Ferries are also available from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the same price as a subway ride, offering a more scenic commute option for riders. And Citi Bike has expanded its bike rentals along the L-Line to encourage New Yorkers to pedal to their destinations when possible.

These are just a handful of options available to make travel a bit easier for L Train passengers, especially on nights and weekends when service is reduced for construction. Ultimately, while "the shutdown" never actually happened, it did spur interest in new ways of getting around. The developments may have actually added to the appeal of living along the L-Line, where you can bike to work, take a ferry, share a drive, or take a train. Your commute is what you make it!