Oct. 3, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez
The 7 train is one of four trains deemed the “worst offenders” for subway delays, with delays on this line costing the city between $13.7 million and $29 million annually, according to a recent report from the NYC Comptroller.
The Oct. 1 report breaks down subway lines based on weekday ridership, train schedules, and wait assessments, coming up with a cost analysis based on “best-case”, “mid-range”, and “worst-case” delay scenarios.
The annual economic cost of the 7 train in terms of “best-case” major delays is $13,685,550, based on the more than 117,000 weekday 7 line riders. “Mid-range” major delays on this line result in an annual cost of $18,793,342. The “worst-case” delays on the 7 line cost the city’s economy $29,009,935.
Estimated annual economic cost for first five subway lines
The analysis uses the midpoint of the range of wait time delays for minor and medium delays and three distinct scenarios for major delays, laying out estimates measured for trains 100 percent, 200 percent, and 400 percent behind schedule. An assumed average hourly salary of $34 per person is also used for calculations.
Trains delayed by 25 percent to 50 percent over their scheduled time are considered “minor”. “Medium” delays range from 50 percent to 100 percent over scheduled time, and “major” delays are those that run 100 percent over scheduled time.
The 7 train is one of five subway lines that most negatively impact economic activity, according to the report. The 5, 7, A, F, and 4 train lines combined cost the city $140 million annually assuming worst-case delays.
Overall, it is estimated that the economic cost of subway delays are up to $389 million annually.
“What these new numbers show is that the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of action; that subway delays take a massive toll on our economy,” said Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.
The report comes after a survey released in July conducted by the Comptroller’s office on the toll subway delays have on people, including arriving to work late, having to walk to work, and even getting fired from a job.
See the full report here .
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9 Comments
Precisely why it is so mind boggling that the 7 keeps getting voted best train.
Most Beautiful Warthog.
Reading this article as I’m stuck on a 7 train that hasn’t moved in 20 minutes. Make the pain stop!
Building without planning never works as I always say. STOP BUILDING in LIC , let us BREATHE.
there are 25k more average weekly am riders on the 7 train than the next highest line (F). That alone should be proof enough to stop development of these high rise buildings!
Imagine if the city had the vision to invest infrastructure and build a new subway lines to Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens while they raced to gentrify those areas, made possible by generous tax giveaways and subsidies to rich developers.
That’s the kind of smart forward-looking city that would be well prepared for the 21st century, and not this stupid and unimaginative place that we have become.
The person to blame is Jimmy Van Bramer who sold out LIC and is trying to sell out Sunnyside train yard to the highest bidder. Van Bramer is a wolf!
I realize the previous comment was a Dislike magnet, but there is a kernel of truth here. All of NYC public officials — ALL of them — are quick movers when it comes to handouts of public funds to private businesses but slow thinkers when it comes to investing and planning in infrastructure for the rest of us. This is going to be the death of the city. We can’t be innovate and grow if we don’t provide modern and efficient transit and public works systems that support us.
So if the idea is to merely shovel money at Amazon without requiring them to pay for a new link to Manhattan, then we should walk away.
Yea the real estate developers and politicians must of been clicking away on the dislikes.