The B train, widely regarded as the slowest subway line in New York City for the second consecutive year, has been analyzed once again. Delays hit about 26%, according to new data.
Interestingly, this year’s performance represents a slight improvement for the struggling B-line, which had not-so-great stats last year at a lateness rate of 65.1%. This was actually worse than figures from 2019, which recorded a 65.4% lateness rate.
This year, the B train saw its average on-time performance rise to 78.5%, but it hit a low point in July, going down to 74.1%.
Famous for serving Yankee Stadium, the B train runs from the Bronx through Manhattan to Brooklyn, ending in Brighton Beach. Yet, one of its major issues appears to be the shared tracks with other trains, especially in Manhattan, where delays can be compounded at busy intersections. Not to mention, the line operates with outdated traffic signals for much of its route.
There are 12 train routes in total this year that have averaged below 85% on-time performance. Still, officials say these numbers are better compared to previous years.
In his year-end report, NYC Transit Authority President Demetrius Crichlow expressed optimism about the transit system’s progress, highlighting that November saw an average on-time performance of 84.4%, which he called “the best November in modern history, excluding the pandemic era.”
September’s average on-time performance reached 85%, breaking records, while August showed a similar milestone at 85.1%. Notably, after adjusting the subway schedule in November, the B train managed to improve its on-time rate to 80.7% for that month.
Crichlow further added that adjusting the C line schedule resulted in a whopping 9-point performance boost from the previous month, marking it as one of the line’s best-ever performances outside of the pandemic timeframe.
He emphasized the shift toward data-informed operations and analytics to enhance scheduling, stating it was all about identifying bottlenecks to uplift the commuter experience.
The L train topped the charts as the most punctual line this year, arriving on time around 90.3% of the time. Other reliable lines included Line 7 at 89.8%, Line 6 at 89.6%, and Line 1 at 89%. Besides a couple of shuttles, the L train was the only one exceeding that 90% arrival rate.
However, it’s worth noting that nine trains, including the L, experienced a decline in on-time arrivals compared to last year. The Rockaway Shuttle, M, and G lines showed the steepest drops in on-time performance, sinking to 7.4%, 6.4%, and 6.3% respectively.
Overall, the transit system has seen a general decrease in latency by 3.2% from last year and 4.9% since 2019. The most notable improvements were observed in the B, C, and 2 lines, with respective increases of 13.4%, 15.5%, and 14.4% since 2024.
Still, a critical report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli in September suggested that more could be done by the MTA to tackle familiar issues leading to delays like construction and emergencies.
DiNapoli noted, “If the MTA can pinpoint areas causing delays, like signal malfunction or subway car breakdowns, it would likely improve the commuter experience and increase rider counts.”
He also mentioned that working closely with law enforcement and service agencies could reduce incidents that contribute to delays, and stressed the need for transparency in the MTA’s efforts to handle these issues for the public’s benefit.
