First, Bay Ridge Councilman Gentile experienced the “R Train Nightmares” in a video spoof of scary movies regarding the horrific R train service in Brooklyn, then he led a rally about the shoddy service with Assembly Members Pamela Harris and Nicole Malliotakis, the Riders Alliance, Straphangers Campaign and R train “warriors” in attendance and where he demanded action from the leadership of the Transit Authority.
But after The MTA responded to the rally via the media that during the morning rush hour the R train operates at 62% of guideline capacity, and during off peak hours it operates at only 30-60% of guideline capacity, Gentile is utilizing the rallying cry of Christopher Wallace a.k.a Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G., who rapped “Where Brooklyn at?”
“The MTA’s statement in response to my rally issued via the media is simply inadequate, much like R train service in Bay Ridge,” said Gentile. “The problem here is that this data incorporates the entire line and many riders get off the R at express train transfer stops. I would like to know what the real capacity is in Southern Brooklyn during rush hours. Manhattan-bound R cars—traveling from 95th Street— are completely filled by the third stop in Bay Ridge during rush hours. The naked eye will tell you that the capacity is far greater than 62% in that section of the R line where there is no express train stop.”
Gentile said the first step to acquire this information would be to conduct an audit on the R line, which the MTA said is not in the cards due to previous audits targeting lettered lines. Despite being a lettered line, we R train “warriors”, taxpayers and fare payers are demanding that the next round of MTA full line reviews include the R, he said.
“Overall, the MTA’s response lacks any motive for action. Their guidelines are disingenuous. The MTA has left Southern Brooklyn in the dark once again. As I cited during the rally, people are weary of moving to Bay Ridge simply because of the R train. Just this weekend, a young professional couple moving from the Upper West Side to Bay Ridge expressed that they were second guessing their decision— literally because of R line service,” said Gentile.
“This is a real issue. I am still awaiting an official letter of response from Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast. I am fully committed to continuing the push for improved R train service until real change to the line is enacted.”
