Neighborhood Chatter: 10.06.11

Downtown Manhattan MTA AGREES TO SQUADRON'S PUSH FOR BETTER WEEKEND SERVICE ON THE L

Riders of the L train, the popular, often crowded gray line that ferries New Yorkers to and from Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, should expect to have better service by mid-2012, says State Sen. Daniel Squadron. In July, Squadron requested a review of the L line and weekend F and L train service, according to a release distributed by the senator's office.

The review was similar to a 2009 F train analysis, also undertaken at Squadron's request, which resulted in more on-time trains and newer, cleaner subways, the release continued.

Following Squadron's request over the summer, the MTA reportedly concluded that service hasn't kept up with a "meteoric" rise in ridership. In an astonishing figure, the MTA noted that ridership on the L train on weekends has increased by 141 percent since 1998. This number was coupled with only a 58 percent increase in service for Saturdays and Sundays.

"As ridership and our communities change and grow, our transit system cannot be stuck on the nine-to-five clock," said Squadron. "Improving weekend L service is a step toward a subway system that keeps up with its riders every day of the week."

Citywide GUESS WHO JOINED TUMBLR?

Last week, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer launched his "In a Manhattan Minute" Tumblr, complete with photos, video and daily updates on his office's activities and initiatives. To celebrate the launch, Stringer visited the Manhattan-based headquarters of Tumblr. The company was founded in 2007 and is now rated the 10th largest social network online, through hosting roughly 30 million individual blogs.

"Government shouldn't be afraid of new technology-we should embrace social media as a way to serve and engage our constituents," said Stringer.