Riders Grill the MTA Over L Train Shutdown at First Open House

For the first time since the MTA released its L train shutdown plans, the public had a chance to talk with the agency about the planned work, and how they'll get around without the L train running into Manhattan.

Jackie Hall, 45, lives near the Bedford Ave. stop, and studied a subway map depicting which stations will be closed. An MTA employee advised her if she wants to avoid crowds, but have a longer ride, she should take the L into Brooklyn and transfer to the M train. A faster but potentially more crowded route would be to take the G to Court Square and switch to the 7 train. She also questioned how efficient the bus and ferry options will be.

"I keep thinking I'm going to lose my job," Hall said. "After three times you're late they start writing warnings."

In addition to repairing the tunnels damaged by Sandy in 2012, the MTA will also be upgrading several stations, building new elevators, turnstiles and entrances. This includes adding four new stairways at the Bedford Avenue stop. That plan has Wlliamsburg native Kathy, who declined to give her last name, puzzled and unimpressed.

"What possessed the MTA to put these on Bedford Avenue?" she asked an MTA representative at the open house.

"Right now the existing stairs, we really need more capacity to get down to the station," the employee, who declined to give her name, said.

"I think it's in an awfully awkward spot," Kathy said.

There will be three more open houses in the coming weeks.