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