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I didn't realize there was only one express track, but at least expanding the hours of express service would be a huge help and makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the suggestion about contacting Lee Sanders. That sounds like a good idea.
Well, you know, the problem with a non-rush hour express along the Concourse is that it's a three-track line. But that shouldn't be the end of the world; the service pattern could be arranged similarly to the #7 (also a three-track line). Express trains to Manhattan until, say, noon. And coming up to The Bronx from 3 to 9PM. Next month, there will be an expanded service plan going into effect--the B line will be running several hours past its current 9PM. There's no reason why its hours of service couldn't be expanded in The Bronx, allowing for an express run on the D line.
MTA does periodic studies of line usage, and when there's enough of an increase, service can be adjusted. I, personally, would suggest making the idea of a non-rush hour express on the Concourse line known to MTA chairman Lee Sanders. He's the first-ever head of MTA who actually has a background in urban transportation (and he's a resident of NYC), and comments to him from the riding public don't get deposited in the recycle bin.
It would also be better to extend the B to Bedford Park Blvd whenever it is running. Waiting for the D in the Bronx can be up to 20 minutes outside the rush hours.
It would also be better to extend the B to Bedford Park Blvd whenever it is running. Waiting for the D in the Bronx can be up to 20 minutes outside the rush hours.
Unless the D is restructured for expanded express service, that's not likely. It would mean two locals on the same track.
I can tell you for a fact that the D train runs on a 10-minute headway between rush hours. So if you wind up waiting 20 minutes, it means there were delays going northbound from the terminal in Coney Island. (These usually involve 34 and 59 Streets--both major transfer stations).
Incidentally, the reason for three tracks instead of four on the Concourse line was cost-cutting. That line opened for service in 1933 as part of the IND system--which was municipally owned from the start. The city figured it would be cheaper to build a three-track line than one with four tracks. That happens to be true...but now we're locked in to a decision made more than 70 years ago. The tunnel isn't wide enough to accommodate an additional track.
Unless the D is restructured for expanded express service, that's not likely. It would mean two locals on the same track.
I can tell you for a fact that the D train runs on a 10-minute headway between rush hours. So if you wind up waiting 20 minutes, it means there were delays going northbound from the terminal in Coney Island. (These usually involve 34 and 59 Streets--both major transfer stations).
Incidentally, the reason for three tracks instead of four on the Concourse line was cost-cutting. That line opened for service in 1933 as part of the IND system--which was municipally owned from the start. The city figured it would be cheaper to build a three-track line than one with four tracks. That happens to be true...but now we're locked in to a decision made more than 70 years ago. The tunnel isn't wide enough to accommodate an additional track.
Fred you make some great posts, and its great having someone with your insight on the MTA on this forum. Do you have any idea whether they have any plans with the B/D line? The B is such a horrid line. Its so unreliable, and in my opinion it holds the D (and the BX for the matter) back. Is it possible they could scratch the B altogether and just have a D local and a D express. Would the trains be able to run express on the local tracks? Could they just do express during most of the day to Manhattan/Brooklyn and Express in the night to Bronx? Is any of this feasable? I mean for a lot of the day and the night (excluding the classic rush hours) the express track isn't even used in the Bronx. How could this be the best way to make use of these lines?
Last edited by NooYowkur81; 07-05-2008 at 01:14 PM..
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