Today, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and local elected officials are launching the 5 Stop Fan Club to fight the MTA’s plan to end extended G train service in Brooklyn. This initiative will give area residents and local small business along the five stops the opportunity to have their voices be heard. Straphangers can take action by going to 5stopfanclub.com where they can directly voice their opposition to the service cut to the MTA and pledge their customer loyalty to specific at-risk businesses along the five stops.
“These extra five stops are a lifeline that Brooklyn residents and small businesses have come to depend on,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “Ending this service will have a profound effect on the community and the mom and pop stores along these five stops. I encourage every New Yorker who wants to see the G train service preserved to join the 5 Stop Fan Club and let your voices be heard.”
In 2009, the MTA lengthened the G train line by five stations directly connecting Park Slope, Windsor Terrace and Kensington to central and northern Brooklyn. Unless the MTA makes the extension permanent, G train service would no longer extend to stations at Fourth Avenue-Ninth Street, Seventh Avenue, Prospect Park-15th Street, Fort Hamilton Parkway and Church Avenue.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senators Eric Adams and Dan Squadron, Assembly Member James Brennan and Hakeem Jeffries as well as Council Members Brad Lander, Sara Gonzalez, Stephen Levin and Letitia James are backing the campaign by helping to distribute flyers to riders and promotional posters to area businesses. 5StopFanClub.com is also being supported by the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign.
“In a time of transit fare hikes, service cuts and fiscal woes, the G extension from Carroll Gardens to Kensington has been a bright spot,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, a transit riders group.
“Our community cannot afford to lose the G train. It would mean delays and inconveniences for already transit poor neighborhoods, which have lost several bus lines in recent years,” said Council Member Brad Lander.
“The G train extension provides an important mass transit link connecting North Brooklyn with Park Slope, Windsor Terrace and Kensington,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “I live in Greenpoint and our only subway access is the G train. Folk used to call it the ‘ghost train.’ That hasn’t been the reality for quite some time. The MTA shouldn’t be talking about cutting service at a time when ridership is at or near the highest levels ever seen. I am very happy that Public Advocate de Blasio has taken up this important issue and I am proud to participate in the 5stopfanclub.com campaign to save the G train.”
“Expanding the G train has made it easier for Brooklyn residents to get around the borough. Returning to the old route would reduce transportation options and harm local businesses that count on customers from outside their local neighborhood,” said Representative Nydia M. Velázquez.
New Yorkers can add their voices to this campaign by visiting 5stopfanclub.com to tell the MTA to protect the G train service and pledge their support to area small businesses that would be hurt by this cut in service.
