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Q tops in best subway survey

Q tops in best subway survey
Chart courtesy the Straphangers Campaign
By Philip Newman

The Q line offers the best service in the subway system, including fewer delays, clean cars and a good chance of getting a seat during rush hour, according to the Straphangers Campaign’s 15th annual State of the Subways report.

The designation of worst subway line went to the C train, with its many 1960s-era cars, high breakdown record and long waits.

It was the first time the Q had ranked No. 1 since 2001, while the C has been rated last for four years in a row.

“Riders on the Q have much more reliable cars, frequent service, subway car cleanliness and car announcements,” said Gene Russianoff, attorney for the Straphangers, the transit activist agency.

The C line performed as the worst or next to the worst subway line in the system on four measures: amount of scheduled service, delays caused by mechanical breakdowns, subway car cleanliness and announcements.

But the C performed above average in the system on regularity of service and on the chance of getting a seat at rush hour.

“The people who regularly ride the C train should be up in arms about the quality of their service,” Russianoff said.

The Q runs between Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn and Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard in Queens. The C operates from East New York in Brooklyn to Washington Heights in Manhattan.

The complete report card, from best to worst, was Q, No. 7, J/Z, No. 1, L, No. 6, E, F, M, R, N, No. 3, D, No. 2, B, A, Nos. 4 and 5 and C.

The Straphangers said the No. 4 had the clearest, easy-to-understand train announcements. The E had the fewest breakdowns, the cleanest was the No. 1 and the best for getting a seat was the R.

Commenting on the survey, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, “While we appreciate the positive results of the Straphangers’ latest survey, those results do not tell the full story.”

Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.