MTA Improves Summer Subway Service to Meet Rider Demand

Subway trains run on the Rockaway Peninsula in New York, Thursday, May 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Summer in the city means travel and beaches, and for many, the subway is the primary mode of transportation.

The MTA wants to meet summer travel demand on the B, D, J, M and Z lines on weekdays and the 3 and 5 lines on weekends.

The agency says those subway lines have seen ridership growth and added service on other lines over the past year.

Progress has already been made to expand service this summer. On weekends, the Rockaway Park Shuttle will expand to 10-car trains and extend trips to Rockaway Boulevard through September 3.

Adding just one train per hour can reduce waiting time.

Trains on the B, D, J and M lines are expected to arrive every 8 minutes for the enhanced weekday midday and evening service.

Weekend increases on lines 3 and 5 are planned from July 6.

The MTA says ridership is about 80% of what it was before COVID-19. Ridership is higher in the evenings.