Brooklyn straphangers were blindsided by the weekend's R train closure, while some were relieved to avoid the violence-ridden underground of the Big Apple.
The R was shut down from Friday night until Monday morning for “structural maintenance,” but riders found a glimmer of hope: a free shuttle bus ride.
“I ride the train all the time and I don't feel safe with everything that's going on,” student Alia told the Post. “Buses are safer. … Just knowing who's coming in gives you more peace of mind.”
State R. will also be partially closed from Friday night until next Monday, but the disruption was news to some straphangers who were hoping for business as usual on Sunday.
“The app says the train is running…we didn't notice it,” said Bay Ridge resident Julissa, who made it all the way to Ninth Avenue before realizing the R was running on the D line. I pointed out that I took the train.
“They definitely don't notify us,” she said jokingly. “even [free shuttle] It said “signed” [to exit] 59th Street and still had to walk over two blocks. ”
During the suspension, R trains will operate on the D line between 36th Street and 9th Avenue, and late night R trains will not run at all. Instead, Manhattan-bound N trains will make overnight express stops from 59 Street to Atlantic Avenue – Barclays Center.
“It's really annoying,” said Bay Ridge resident Arlene. An employee of a doggy daycare near the Barclays Center said she first learned about the closure on social media. “I didn't know either until yesterday.”
MTA officials told the Post that signs warning of service suspensions will be posted at affected subway stations starting Dec. 30, and news of service changes will be posted on the MTA's website starting Dec. 2. he said.
Despite plenty of English signs posted at Sunset Park's 36th Street Station, some passengers were left in the dark as the Spanish and Chinese signs appeared to disappear. The paper reported.
It's unclear when the sign disappeared, but the MTA noticed the flyer was gone Sunday morning and reposted it that afternoon, an MTA official said.
Jose LaSalle, deputy director of the New York City Transit Authority's weekend service diversion and coordination division, said weekend suspensions are a high priority for MTA crews on Fourth Avenue between 95th Street and 45th Street. This was done as repair work was being carried out on concrete and steel roof beams.
The MTA said free shuttle buses will be available at the affected stations.
