Group ranks C, 2 trains worst in NYC subway system

For the third year in a row, the C train has earned the unwelcome distinction of being the worst subway line in the city.

The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, a commuter advocacy group, disparaged the line in its 14th annual State of the Subways report, which ranks subway lines based on transit data. This year, the 2 train was tied with the C for the lowest ranking.

"The critical thing is to constantly replace subway cars," said Gene Russianoff, the group's senior attorney. "The quality of service depends a lot on your car. Some of those are decade-old cars."

The Straphangers ranked the C, which runs between Brooklyn and upper Manhattan, worst on scheduled service, delays caused by mechanical breakdowns and subway car announcements. The crowded 2 train, meanwhile, was the weakest train for seat availability during rush hour. The 2 train, which ferries commuters between Brooklyn College and the Bronx, also was below average on subway car cleanliness.

The C has often drawn the ire of the Straphangers, who have rated it the worst train no less than five times in 14 years.

Subway rider Aziza Usman, who lives in Staten Island, wasn't surprised by the C train's spot at the bottom of the heap.

"When I go to church, I have to wait a while for the C train. I have to wait a long time," Usman said Wednesday. "It is annoying because I want to get to church on time, but I can't."

The J/Z train, which runs between lower Manhattan and Queens, was ranked the best subway line because it performed best in regularity of service. This was the first time the J/Z received top honors since the Straphangers began issuing subway report cards in 1997.

"What's clear is that many riders on the top-rated lines are getting much better service than those taking lines that are at the bottom of the barrel," Russianoff said.

Overall, the Straphangers said the subway system improved in one area: the rate of car breakdowns. But the cleanliness of subway cars and the adequacy of subway car announcements didn't noticeably improve.

The group said it was too early to assess the impact of dozens of car cleaner and maintenance positions that were cut in the 2010 budget of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway system.

The MTA said that each month its New York City Transit agency reports on bus and subway performance and posts results for riders on its website, mta.info.

"We always appreciate and consider the Straphangers Campaign's fun and unique take on subway and bus service," MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said in a statement.

Bronx resident Claudette Bernard boards the 2 train for her weekly doctor's appointment and doesn't have much to complain about — but she never takes it during rush hour.

"So far it's been great," she said. "I just hate it on the weekend."