You're standing on the platform at Metropolitan Avenue. You've got your coffee. You're ready to head down to Carroll Gardens for brunch, or maybe you're just trying to get to work at the hospital. Then you look at the countdown clock. It's blank. Or worse, it says the next train is in 22 minutes. We’ve all been there with the Crosstown Local. Honestly, checking g train service this weekend is basically a survival skill for anyone living in North Brooklyn or Long Island City these days.
The G is the only major line in the system that doesn't touch Manhattan, which makes it a lifeline for the "Brooklyn-Queens connector" crowd. But that unique status also means when it breaks, or when the MTA decides to do "essential maintenance," you’re kinda stranded. There’s no parallel line to jump on. You can’t just walk across the platform to an N or a Q. You're stuck with the shuttle bus. And let’s be real: nobody actually likes the shuttle bus.
Why the G Train is Always Under Construction
The MTA is currently in the middle of a massive, multi-year project to dragged the G train into the 21st century. It's about time, right? For decades, the G was the "neglected child" of the New York City Transit system. It ran shorter trains. It had ancient signals. But with the explosion of development in Long Island City, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg, the ridership numbers started screaming for help.
The big culprit behind the service changes you see lately is the Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) installation. This is high-tech stuff. Basically, the old signals are like a series of fixed stoplights that don't know exactly where the train is—they just know if a "block" of track is occupied. CBTC allows the system to pinpoint the train's exact location and speed. This means trains can run closer together safely. More trains per hour. Fewer "we are being held momentarily" announcements.
But to get there, they have to rip out the old gear. That means weekend shutdowns. It means late-night closures that start at 9:45 PM when you're just trying to get home from dinner.
The Signal Problem Explained
Think of the old signal system like a rotary phone. It works, sure. But you can't run a modern economy on it. The G line uses equipment that, in some stations, literally dates back to the 1930s. When a signal component fails on a Saturday morning, the whole line ripples. One "broken rail" near 21st St-Van Alst can back up traffic all the way to Church Avenue.
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By installing CBTC, the MTA is following the blueprint of the L train and the 7 train. You might remember the "L-pocalypse" talk from a few years ago. It was painful, but now the L is arguably the most reliable line in the city. That's the light at the end of the tunnel for G riders. But the tunnel is long. And dark. And currently smells like damp concrete and ozone.
Navigating the Shuttle Bus Maze
If the g train service this weekend is replaced by buses, you need a plan. The B98 or the special "G Shuttle" usually follows the route, but traffic on McGuinness Boulevard or Manhattan Avenue is a nightmare.
Pro tip: If you're in Greenpoint and need to get to Downtown Brooklyn, sometimes the B62 bus is actually faster than the official shuttle. Or, if you're near the water, the NYC Ferry is a legitimate alternative, though it costs more than a swipe.
I’ve seen people wait 20 minutes for a shuttle bus only to find out it’s so packed they can’t even squeeze through the doors. Don't be that person. If you see a crowd of 50 people looking miserable on a street corner in LIC, keep walking. Check your apps.
Apps That Actually Work
Forget the official printed posters. They’re often outdated by the time they’re taped to the wall.
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- The MYmta App: It’s gotten better. It’s the source of truth for "Planned Work."
- Transit App: Great for real-time tracking of those elusive shuttle buses.
- Citymapper: Usually the best at suggesting weird "Frankenstein" routes (like taking a bus to a different subway line) when the G is totally dead.
The "Short Train" Struggle
Even when the G is running, it’s often shorter than the platform. This is a classic G train quirk. You stand at the end of the platform at Court Square, the train pulls in, and you realize you have to sprint 200 feet because the train only has five cars.
The MTA has been trying to run more full-length trains, but equipment availability is a constant battle. During weekend work, they might run "shuttle" service between specific stations—say, Bedford-Nostrand to Court Square—using these shorter sets.
It's annoying. It’s also kinda funny in a "only in New York" sort of way. You see a whole platform of people in North Brooklyn suddenly start a collective 40-yard dash.
What to Do If You're Stranded
Let's say you're at Broadway and the G isn't coming. You have options, but they require a bit of local knowledge.
- The J/M Alternative: If you can get to Hewes St or Lorimer St, the J/M can get you into Manhattan and back out to other parts of Brooklyn.
- The Walk: If you're in Williamsburg and need to get to Greenpoint, just walk. It’s 15-20 minutes. It’s faster than waiting for a broken train.
- Revel/Citi Bike: If the weather is decent, the bike lanes on the Pulaski Bridge are your best friend.
Actually, the Pulaski Bridge is the secret weapon of the G train rider. When the tunnel under the Newtown Creek is closed for maintenance, the bridge becomes the only link. Citi Bike has docks on both sides. It’s often faster than the bus, and you get a great view of the skyline while you're venting your frustrations.
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Is the G Ever Going to Be "Fixed"?
The MTA's 2025-2029 Capital Plan includes more money for these upgrades. But "fixed" is a relative term. The G is an old line. It deals with flooding issues because it’s so close to the water in many spots. It deals with "trash fires" because the drainage isn't perfect.
But the CBTC project is a real, tangible improvement. Once it's fully implemented—likely over the next 18 to 24 months—the frequency of trains should jump significantly. We’re talking about going from a train every 10-12 minutes on weekends to maybe every 6-8 minutes. That sounds small, but it changes your whole life when you're trying to make a 2:00 PM lunch date.
Real-Time Check: How to Verify Status Right Now
Before you leave your apartment, do the "triple check."
First, look at the MTA Service Status website. Look for the yellow "Planned Work" icon. Read the fine print. Sometimes it says "Trains are running," but then you read closer and it says "via the F line" or "ending at Bedford-Nostrand."
Second, check Twitter (X) or Reddit. The r/NYCrail community is surprisingly fast at reporting "unannounced" delays. If a train is stuck at 4th Ave-9th St with a mechanical issue, you’ll hear it there first.
Third, look out your window if you live near the tracks. (Okay, maybe that’s just for the lucky few).
Survival Steps for This Weekend
- Leave 30 minutes early. I know, it sucks. Do it anyway.
- Check the "Last Stop." Sometimes G trains that usually go to Court Square will randomly terminate at Nassau Av because of track work ahead. Listen to the conductor’s garbled announcements.
- Have a backup "Surface Route." Know which bus lines (B43, B48, B62) run parallel to your stop.
- Download an offline map. If you end up on a shuttle bus in a part of Queens you don't recognize, you'll want to know where the nearest E or 7 train station is.
- Watch the Pulaski. If you're crossing between Brooklyn and Queens, the bridge is your friend. If the G is down, the shuttle buses will be crawling across it. If you're able-bodied, walking the bridge is usually the smarter move.
The G train is the pulse of the "cool" parts of Brooklyn and Queens, for better or worse. It’s temperamental, it’s often late, and its weekend service is a roll of the dice. But it’s ours. Until the CBTC work is done, just keep your transit app open and your walking shoes on. You’re going to need them.