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New MTA Proposal Calls For Half Of F Trains To Run Express During Rush Hours Between Church Avenue And Jay Street

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It could be a rough commute for some F train riders beginning as early as next year as straphangers could see half the number of trains during rush hour.

CBS2's Ali Bauman reported a Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposal calls for half of the F trains to run express during rush hours between Church Avenue and Jay Street in an effort to bring back express service for Brooklyn riders.

"Essentially it decreases the time for customers traveling to southern parts of Brooklyn by an average of about three to four minutes," MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said.

Some riders could save up to seven minutes.

However, the MTA admitted this plan would actually inconvenience more people than it would help, but they said the added wait time would only be about a minute.

"They're taking trains that only run every four to five minutes and taking half of them out, so they'll run every eight to nine minutes. Most human beings would call that a four to five minute harm," Brooklyn City Councilmember Brad Lander said.

The Fourth Avenue stop in Park Slope is one of those stations that would see half the number of F trains during rush hour. Commuters told Bauman that doesn't work for them.

"I need the train, I need frequent trains," Elsa Butler said. "I'm back-and-forth throughout the day and I need the service that I'm getting now."

Kayla Williams said, "I won't be commuting on the train, then I'd walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. It makes no sense to take the train, spend so much money. It doesn't make sense."

In a trade-off for longer wait times, the MTA said local F trains would be less congested and an express would have slightly more people onboard than the current F train, but Lander said that does not take into consideration crowding on the platforms.

"There will be twice as many people getting off but … two-thirds of them will all flow to this small stairwell," Lander said. "Anyone who's even a little bit claustrophobic or anxious, it's a mess."

The MTA said the new rides could start as early as next fall.

The MTA is asking for public comment on this proposal.

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