September 12, 2014

Thomas F. Prendergast
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

Dear Chairman Prendergast:

As elected officials representing the hundreds of thousands of Brooklyn residents who use the F
train millions of times each year, we urge you to restore express service to the Brooklyn portion
of the F subway line. Specifically, we ask that the MTA restore limited northbound F express
service for morning commuters traveling from Coney Island to Manhattan and southbound F
express service for evening commuters traveling from Manhattan back to Coney Island. We also
ask that the MTA remain vigilant and work to remedy noise and vibration issues experienced by
residents of neighborhoods directly above F express and local tracks.

The benefits of restoring the F train express service in Brooklyn would be felt throughout the
borough with decreased travel time to Manhattan, decreased delays along the entire line, and a
better quality of life for all subway riders in our communities. The F train consistently ranks
among the most delayed lines in the MTA system and was specifically targeted for
improvements by the MTA in the October 2009 Full-Line Review. Many of our communities are
experiencing continued population growth which has only added to the crowded trains and
delayed service. Add to this the fact that 19 of the 22 Brooklyn stops along the F train have seen
increases in ridership over the last year and the combination results in a hectic, stressful
commute for the residents of southern Brooklyn. The MTAs review of 2013 ridership rates
shows Brooklyn as having the largest increase in ridership, with the increase being driven by
strong growth on the Canarsie L, crosstown G, and Culver F lines. It is clear that there has been
a longstanding issue along the F line in Brooklyn which has only been exasperated by population
and ridership increases.

In addition, many other subway lines that service Brooklyn already have express service
available at least part of the time. For example, the B train runs express along the entire Brighton
line, while the N and D trains also run express in Brooklyn. It is time to extend that service to
the people who live and work along the F line and the businesses that serve them. Doing so will
shorten commutes, reduce unnecessary delays, and lessen the stress on the Brooklyn residents
who rely on the F train while simultaneously helping to address a critical need the MTA has
already acknowledged.





We are aware that the MTA is currently reviewing services along the F line as the Culver
Viaduct rehabilitation project nears completion. Given the realities discussed above, it is
imperative that the MTA respond to the increased ridership rates and seriously consider restoring
F train express service in Brooklyn, while also maintaining current local F train headways, to
improve the quality of life for all the residents of our growing communities.

We eagerly await your response.


Sincerely,




Eric L. Adams
Brooklyn Borough President



Hakeem Jeffries
Member of Congress



Jerrold Nadler
Member of Congress



Michael G. Grimm
Member of Congress










Martin J. Golden
New York State Senator



Diane Savino
New York State Senator



Daniel Squadron
New York State Senator





James Brennan
New York State Assembly Member





Steven Cymbrowitz
New York State Assembly Member




William Colton
New York State Assembly Member







Joan L. Millman
New York State Assembly Member



Stephen Levin
New York City Council Member



David Greenfield
New York City Council Member



Mark Treyger
New York City Council Member