GREENPOINT — Looking to get in shape for summer? If you live off the notorious G train, just riding the subway requires enough of a workout, straphangers say.
The "G Train Workout Plan" catches riders in action as they "hike," "sprint" and "stretch" in the name of catching the train that connects parts of Brooklyn and Queens — and the witty video just highlights transit advocates' constant claims that the G runs too rarely and unreliably.
"Thousands of New Yorkers are on the G Train Workout Plan, whether they want to be or not," said John Raskin, Executive Director of the Riders Alliance group, which released the video. Wouldn't they rather exercise their right to better subway service?"
Along with their video, the impassioned group released survey results from 300 riders, 83 percent of whom have chosen alternate forms of transportation to avoid the train, and 60 percent who have done the "G train sprint" to catch the short train in the middle of the platform. Plus 26 percent of those surveyed said they've walked more than 20 minutes to their destination instead of taking the train.
Local officials including State Senators Daniel Squadron and Martin Dilan have also pushed for better service and have pushed for a full review of the line, which will be finished in June.
In response to the Riders Alliance's video and survey, an MTA representative noted the agency was completing the G line review.
"We are doing a full-line review of the G as promised," spokesman Kevin Ortiz said, "and will be happy to talk about our findings once it’s concluded."
