MTA fails on promise to boost R train service, lawmaker says

The R train still stands for “rarely,” despite the MTA’s pledge to increase midday service on the historically unreliable subway line.

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes of Brooklyn — who stood alongside MTA leaders last month when they announced R trains would arrive at stations every eight minutes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. starting on Aug. 28 — is now calling the plan a “bungled” effort.

“After months of hard work in Albany to fight for a rescue plan for the MTA and service improvements for lines including the R and N, I’m shocked and frustrated that the MTA would misrepresent these service upgrades to the riding public,” Gounardes wrote in a statement on Thursday. “People need to trust that subways will be reliable and dependable, especially as the MTA is asking for more tax dollars and fare increases to pay for service.”

In response to Gounardes’ gripe, MTA officials explained that track work on the F line scheduled has forced crews to move work trains onto R line tracks, forcing the MTA to push back the start of the extra midday service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. until early next year.

“We will reduce wait times even further in the coming months after completion of necessary track work,” NYC Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement. “We’re grateful to elected officials for their continuing support.”

But riders were still left waiting 14 minutes for R trains at the Union St. station in Brooklyn early Thursday afternoon, nearly twice as long as the MTA promised.

Commuters at the station said they’ve come to expect long waits for the R train.

“I’m just used to it at this point, honestly,” said Iris Gartner, who grew up in Park Slope. “But it would be nice if it came more frequently. Wouldn’t have to be the ‘rarely’ train anymore,” she said, referring to the R train’s nickname.

Others standing on the sweltering platform summed up the service more succinctly.

“It sucks,” said Brooklyn commuter Margarete Bernstein.

Bernstein…