Oh how I hate this train. Forced to use this train because I'm stranded in Wiiliamsburg with no other way back to the island other than to swim in the East River. In the short month that I've been taking this train it fails me more times than not. Each morning I wait for the train, train comes, 5 people get on, I don't. Another train comes, 5 more people get on, I don't. By the 4th train, I squeeze on after a big man shoves ahead of me and I'm standing squished between a girl who hasn't showered and a man who may or may not have bed bugs. On nights, I wait and wait for the train. If rain hits the tracks, then I wait half an hour. I have never sat on the train. Just stand, squished and slammed. read more

I love the L train. Such a lovely commute. You rarely have to wait more than 4 minutes for a train. Studded with beautiful people and avant-garde styles, its like a fashion show every morning. Inspiring. Bonus having the marquee that tells you when the next train will be arriving. My favorite train. read more

I'm not sure why the L suffers such contempt for being overcrowded. The L is clean and comes every five minutes, even on weekday afternoons. During rush hour it may come more frequently! Look, I've been to cities with anemic public transport. NYC is not one. In fact, the MTA is pretty good, even compared to cities in countries with very good public transport, like Norway or Japan. In Japan, yes, the Yamanote line will come every minute or two during rush hour - but that one's overcrowded as well. Would you ever see this on the MTA? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kor5nHtZQ What should the L do, add more trains? Knowing how the MTA works overall, that might just lead to trains being stuck in the tunnel between stations, due to train traffic ahead (that is, people pressed against the doors). Anyway, having used good and bad public transport alike (I lived in Atlanta too... omg), I admonish people to count their blessings that there'a a clean, frequent train to Manhattan all the way from Brownsvills to Billyburg. NYC's population is 8.1 million, and it's supposed to increase to at least 8.2 million in the coming years. Meanwhile, Manhattan has become even more so the island where commercial activity in New York is centered. Queens is where people live, Brooklyn is where we play (or live), but nonetheless many of us must commute to Manhattan. Access to Manhattan may become precarious, and overall, given how many more people live along the L now, the MTA, I think, has put the L into a pretty good place. I lived in one of the dodgier areas of Bushwick and the train made my life a lot more pleasant. The L to me gets extra points for its entertainment value, particularly at midnight on a Friday or Saturday. Black people in Browsville and white people in Williamsburg tend to not particularly be fond of one another, especially after liquoring up. This can lead to entertaining midnight showings. read more

This train line has come a long way. I took this line over 20 years ago for a short time and it was a way different experience. All of the trains on this line are brand new. They all have the map where it shows you which stop is next and the stops that are coming up and which trains you can transfer to from those stops. Most of the announcements are automated and clear. The only complaint is how crowded this line can get from Manhatten to the first bunch of stops in Brooklyn. read more

The L train has been pretty good to me. I live a block from it and it's my main connection to the world outside my neighborhood: I take it to visit friends, I take it to work Monday-Friday, and I take it to Manhattan. Weekdays are a breeze on the L train. I typically wait 3-5 minutes for a train, sometimes 10 but rarely much over that. The weekends can be a different story! One thing I have learned is that the times up on those great signs that tell us when the next train is coming can be totally wrong. Yesterday the sign said it'd be 26 minutes until the next train came. We didn't wait anymore than 5 minutes! And of course sometimes they'll say the next train is coming in 2 minutes, but you wait 20. Such a tease! Service on the weekends is not as great as the weekdays. The trains don't run as often, which kind of sucks if you're in a hurry to be somewhere. But overall, I'm happy with the L train. At least the trains are clean and somewhat happy-looking, and I've never felt unsafe riding late at night by myself because there are always people riding, no matter what time it is. read more

Woah my favorite train. I love knowing when the next train will come. The rent here is cheap as well and I'm sharing rent with three other people. Although it's crowded, I love the proximity to Whole foods. I'm making the best out of my NYC experience. :) read more

Had to take this train daily for four years at one point. One of my favorite trains. You know how you just feel comfortable and right on a certain train? The L train is that train for me. It's clean most of the time, but I won't lie, the people on it are either shady or completely benign. But that's with a lot of trains. The thing about this train sometimes is the wait. Can't count how many times I've missed that 8th avenue bound and kicked myself because it is guaranteed that 4 Brooklyn bound trains will pass in that time on the other side as I wait. If you're taking this train in Brooklyn, be warned. Goes through a few of what most know as the "worst" parts of Brooklyn, but if you're taking it between Williamsburg and Manhattan, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. read more

The L train kind of scares me. It's the only line in the system DRIVEN BY MOTHER-F'ING ROBOTS, yet the countdown clocks are hilariously inaccurate. "3 MINS" and the train is careening into the station? How? Are you sure you know where your trains are, MTA? Like, super sure? Cause it's doesn't seem like you're so sure. Then sometimes the train gets going like 120 miles per hour and it starts shaking violently and making horrible groaning and creaking sounds. I saw a tourist couple look like they were pretty convinced they were about to die. But it's cool, the robots are in charge. Also, that nasally lady computer announcer on the platforms always talks over herself. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE NEXT... MANHATTAN-BOUND... L... TRAIN.... -- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE NEXT... L... TRAIN IS NOW ARRIVING... ON THE... ROCKAWAY PARKWAY-BOUND.... TRACK!" This train is also packed as hell during rush hour (or whenever there's a warehouse art party in Far-East-Bed-Bush) and deodorant is not a popular option along this line. I once spent my entire commute in a lady's armpit. Finally, they seem to never be done with work on this line. They've been upgrading this line since I moved here 10 years ago and they still just say "F it all" and cancel service between Manhattan and Brooklyn entirely on the weekends. 10 years! What could possibly be left to do?? Robots are coming to the 7 Line as well. Be very afraid, Queens. read more

The L train is very valuable being one of the few cross town trains. The L is very clean and the electronic signs are great. If you are planning to use the L line during late nights, plan on waiting up to 15-30 minutes. Late night service is infrequent. read more

Oh L train, I love how unpredictable you are. Always keeping me on my toes. This is SO us! The way you decide to terminate at random stops making me late for work. Or when you decide to skip my station - that's always my favorite (makes me really question "why?"). But seriously, when you're good - you're really good. So pls get yourself together and make my life easier (at least for a little...before you're shut down completely!) read more

As all of you know, this is THE Hipster line. I get on/off on Lorimer and the station is disgustly hot during the summer. I also transfer to/from Union Square and the train comes flying in at 40 mph, dangerous. It's a newer car line so thumbs-up on that but it gets extremely packed(esp in the morning) with an interesting mix of too cool for school Hipsters and native Brooklynites. I even saw a Hipster dude finger his Hipster chick on a rush hour train, gross. The is the young suburban HOBO train and you're guaranteed to see a crappy musician performing at Union Sq, Bedford, or Lorimer daily. Pros: New cars, countdown clock, fast trains(esp under river). Cons: Very packed, annoying riders from Ohio that now live in Williamsburg. read more

Now approaching...Manhattan Bound....L Train... It was a cold December blizzard day in NYC, and the 'EL' train came to the rescue. As an LA boy who was severely under prepared for nyc weather, I quickly jury-rigged my outdoor outfit: sneakers, beanie, jeans, gloves and a coat. Still not enough. Luckily, the L train was pleasantly warm and comfortable. The L Train was the train I used to go from Brooklyn to Manhattan. It was Efficient, Clean (inside that is), and got me to where I needed to go. NYC Public Transportation is greater than LA Public Transportation. read more

I actually can't complain this time. Not that I am one to grumble often but I needed to get from Union Sq to 1st Ave in a jiffy. Did it happen? Yes. After waiting a couple minutes. In all seriousness I NEVER take this train and now, after all these years, I am starting to wonder why. Here's to the L train and it's smooth sailing. Or railing. Depending on how you look at it. read more

The best story I've ever told: "...And this one time, on the way to the Brooklyn Brewery, I saw a puppet show. There were these strung-out dudes with dark sunglasses on, hiding in a giant cardboard castle. At first we were confused, because reguardless of the time of day, its pretty dark when you're underground on the 14st-Union Square subway platform. Then their shopping cart boom-box started, and the music playing was "Easy (like Sunday morning)." And all of sudden, the sunglass-wearing stoners came out of the castle with thier hands stuck up a pair of puppet's butts, which they made sing and dance in time to Lionel Richie's voice. We would have stayed longer, but by the time the bridge of the song reached tha part that goes "I wanna be HIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH, so HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH...." the L train came and we had to leave...after all, the beer at the Brooklyn Brewery won't drink itself." Yes kids...this is what happens when you ride the L train. You've been warned. read more

Schizophrenic Subway Situation Sometimes Slim Standing Space Silly Scandalous Slender Sallys! Seriously read more

Negative 10 stars for being a complete insult to the sufficiency of the NYC MTA. Riding this train in the morning is HELL. Here is the scenario: Crunch, ssssss, crunch. WTF? Oh, just the ghetto kids taking the train to school eating Doritos while chugging Pepsi to quench their breakfast thirst. They are completely obnoxious and loud due to their sugar high from a junk food-laden meal not to mention their loudass voices in ghettofied Ebonics speak. Of course these kids have no backpacks with them (they have no desire for school). Just this past week, there was a fellow rider with a huge box during my morning commute. I feel the same way about bike riders trying to force their bikes on a crowded subway. They have no respect for other riders! Don't get me started on the "hipsters" who live off the Bedford stop. I dislike the I just rolled out of bed with vintage clothing even though I'm a trust fund baby look. Who are they kidding? If you want to see hipster/ghetto mecca, the L train is where it's at. I will give them props for their new trains and LED screens. read more

So I lived off of the L train for a year. And just seeing this on yelp makes all my feelings of deep loathing and my utter exultation at having moved away from this dreadful train and never ever having to take it again overwhelm me! I lived off the 1st ave stop in manhattan and had to make the trip to 8th ave. WORST COMMUTE KNOWN TO MAN!!!! Why oh why does the train need to stop every 10 feet because of "train traffic ahead of us" and hells to the no will I be patient when I deal with the stupid train inching forward every single morning. 1st Offense: It's crowded as hell in the mornings. But, I began to get a secret thrill from seeing what seemingly impossibly full train car I could manage to squeeze myself into. After seeing one 300lb guy, manage to get through a door I had passed off as impossible, I learned that there is ALWAYS space! ha! And, yes, I am THAT person. 2nd Offense: Delays. Why would you have only two hubs for the trains at the final stop (8th ave) knowing that trains are coming in 2 minutes apart at rush hour......... They have got to get the timing right. There have been times when everyone just got frustrated got off the train and decided to take the bus. This is REDUNK!!! The only reason why I shall give this 2 stars instead of 1 is because it does have the new "fancy" trains and it has a screen that tells you when the next train is coming - which is awesome! But, I have happily divorced from the this train, and while my new line is definitely more grungy, it RUNS WITHOUT STOPPING EVERY TWO FEET!!! read more

This train... Every. Single. Time. I get on this godforsaken train, I immediately play the Final Fantasy Victory song in my head, because I just conquered the ultimate end-game boss known as "The 20 Minute Wait" and got the fattest loot possible in the form of hipster sensory overload. Dat flannel & those Clark's Desert Boots. With it being out of "commission" every other weekend, it's kind of one of those things that's nice when it's around, but equally nice when it isn't. I've yet to establish a connection with this line, but some people have sold their souls & proclaim their love for the L with reckless abandon. I don't know, man; not convinced. read more

I can always tell who is going to go on the L Train when I'm in Union Square. Anyone with the beanie/skinny jeans/fake glasses/leather jacket combo is heading to Bedford Ave via the L. Other than that, It's a nice way to get to the MPD when I'm feeling cheap and don't want to take a cab. read more

L train oh how I love you. You take me to the magical place that is brooklyn, where hipsters, and good music and cute girls abound. As long as you're not having a maintenance weekend, you are a very friendly and reliable transporter, getting me from USQ to where I need to be and back any hour of the day or night. Now with the new trains you're more efficient and reliable than ever before. Still I will not move to your outer reaches because no one will come to my parties no more! read more

For some reason this train will always hold a special place in my heart. Born and raised near Halsey St. I always took the L train when going into Manhattan. Although it can get insanely Cramped at Union Square...the well lit lighting can be inviting when your trying to read a book or even "people watch" read more

I dig this train so f'n much. So great we all know at night this thing is as dependable as a florida election commitee but come on thats what makes it fun! There have been two occasions where I left the train at U SQ skated to 1st ave got a drink or four at a local bar then caught the train I had been waiting for at u SQ. When the signs are working its nice to know how long you have to wait until the next one. Not to mention we saw the same people at 1st ave on the train that were waiting at U SQ hahaha. read more

My relationship with the L train is a bit strange. On one hand, I can't really think of any awful experiences I've had on it. Yeah, sometimes it doesn't come, and that's annoying, but overall, it's not awful and you usually don't have to wait that long. On the other, I avoid it like the plague whenever possible. I will walk across the bridge to the 7 to avoid it. I will time out taking the B62 to avoid it. I will get somewhere late waiting on the B32 to avoid it. I will even take the G to avoid it. I don't know why, but I feel like my aversion to a train I've literally taken hundreds and hundreds of times probably means that there's something vaguely wrong with it. read more

"Meh. I've experienced better." That's how Yelp describes a 2 star rating. When the L delivers arrives on-time and doesn't crawl between Bedford and 1st ave, I don't complain. I don't even complain about the fact that it runs at 4am schedule starting from around noon until 2pm.. I guess its just one of those New York things that keep me numb.. my expectations so low that they drag on the subway platform as I walk to my optimum standing position that I found on my ExitStrategy app. read more

The L train goes out to Williamsburg and beyond and out to 8th Avenue underneath 14th Street. Invariably I'll be standing at Union Square waiting to go to 8th Avenue and the electronic read-out will say that the train is 4 minutes away...three minutes later, I'll check my watch and the read-out will say the train is three minutes away and I'll wonder if my expensive watch isn't keeping time properly or if the MTA sucks at life. I'm 99.9% sure its the latter. read more

The L Train - Usually the way things go - Public Transportation Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

They only thing I will say about Andy N is he is very grumpy. Why is a train not worthy of reviews? At least it's about safety not just about stuffing our faces with food. I like that this is the only train that takes you to Canarsie because sometimes you just don't feel like walking. I must admit it was the Hipster viewing that attracted me to take this line. read more

I found this train to be reliable. There was always one available to catch when I needed to. In the event that one had just left, another replaced it pretty quickly. The only thing I would suggest is that the train be a little more clean. While there wasn't garbage on the inside, you could feel how dirty it was. You're always bound to find a character or two on this train, lol. read more

I dunno how I ended up here. I doubt anybody'll look at this review and go 'i heard the l train occasionally smells like pee. lets reroute to the g,' but ah well. its fun at night. i once got laid off it. then later checked for vd. came out clean. the girl wasn't that pretty, otherwise i would've given this five stars. read more

When it works, it's great. Otherwise, utter disaster due to the large #s who've moved into its formerly lightly/thinly populated areas. Every station is a delicate long story of so much that's needed that the problems also include urban planning, policy, hydrology (lots of leaks in stations & threatening bodies of water, many badly polluted), and hipster culture/woes. Within Manhattan, however, it's awesomely handy to get crosstown on the only crosstown-dedicated line. Overall, it's alright. read more

An open letter to the L train... Dear L, I used to hate you. A lot. Your inconsistent functionality, your constant track maintenance, and your malicious impulse to make me get off in the middle of nowhere in Brooklyn all made me wary of you. I even started taking the G when I visited friends in Brooklyn. That's how bad it got. You're better now. Not great, but better. Those little displays they installed to make sure you ran on time work a lot better now, although I somehow doubt you ever managed to prove their effectiveness (it's ok, I'd have an inferiority complex in comparison to London's underground, too). And I've gotten used to your blindingly sterile trains, even if your regular riders continue to abstain from showering. Giving you an E for effort, S read more

The L has always been there for me. That schedule timer thing it has is amaaazing. If all the subway lines had that then commuting in this city would be 10x more bearable. Seeing that timer somehow makes the wait time feel shorter. Minus 2 stars for flaking out on the weekends and making people ride a slow-ass bus. read more

Letting people know when the next train is coming - what a concept. Not sure why the L is the only one which does it so it gets an extra 2 stars for that. I remember when the L Train went to Canarsie and, well, technically it still does but you never hear of anything other than Williamsburg and maybe Bushwick these days. read more

I used to hate the L train on mere principle. I didn't know it well, but the few times I took it the travel was abysmal. Then my partner moved out to Brooklyn and I had to take the L frequently. I got to see it at all times of day and night. I also started booking films out in that area, as well as finding other friends to visit along this line. And you know what? I now feel that the L has gotten a bad rap. The trains can get really crowded. But the people, in general, are considerate during these tight squeeze periods. I once had to lug two bags, a rolling cart, and a big bunch of flowers for my partner's birthday bash...and people actually made space around me! People also tend to keep their voices and electronics at respectful levels during the morning commute. And the trains are well lit and usually clean. And most of the stations have electronic signs telling you exactly how many minutes you'll have to wait for the next train to arrive. Not that I've developed a desire to move to Brooklyn...but I've grown somewhat fond of the L. read more

I don't care that the trains are nicer and cleaner, I don't care that there are digital signs and robotic announcements about the "the next L TRAIN will be arriving in APPROXIMATELY 18 minutes" -- ALL I care about is that my L train comes ON TIME. And it just does not, most of the time. It's a miracle that it comes within five minutes of me getting into the station. Most of the time, it's a 10, 15, 20 minute wait. And that's unacceptable. I'd rather have a filthy, crummy subway car circa 1986 but one that comes OFTEN. Yes, when it comes quickly, it's a glorious feeling and my trip into union square is a breeze. 9 out of 10 times, though, that kind of experience is pure fantasy on the L train. Maybe someday, fantasy will become reality. Until then, L train gets little love from me. read more

Hmm we have some real quality people who ride this train! Not to say that other train lines don't also have quality people. read more

This might be because I rarely take the L deeper into Brooklyn than Lorimer Street (Helloooooo G train!), but I've never had any problems with it. On the contrary; with the new "Next L Train in X Minutes" digital readouts seeming to finally come together, and the nice new clean trains, it's actually a positive experience. If every train was as good as the L train, navigating this city might even be fun. I will also add that those giving the L train one star and complaining about things like crowds, panhandlers, stinky people, dirt, etc. should probably think about getting a promotion or making a career change so they can either move into an apartment in walking distance to everywhere they like to go, or just take cabs into the city from Williamsburg. The L is easily the swankest ride in the city, end of story. If you can't handle it, your standards are way too high for ordinary strap-hanging folk. read more

I like this train because from union square it gets me to williamsburg real fast. The platforms are probably some of the filthiest. But as long as i dont need to wait too long ( which I havent yet), then I can live with it. Can get crowded during rush hour, but what train isnt. read more

Apparently, there is a lot of funny reviews for this train, so there got to be something about this train. My experience on this L is generally positive except people are packed like sardines during rush hour. Feel bad for people trying to get on the train from Graham to Bedford as you have to bring in your inner fighting spirit to shove yourself into the train. But the perks on this train had been previously stated : 1) Get to Manhattan in a short period of time 2) Plenty of nice-looking guy/girls So who knows, maybe in your midst of silently cursing in your head of the pushing and shoving that is going on the train, you turned around and maybe, an instant spell have placed upon you, you see someone that make your heart flutter. So there is the L for you. read more

I love the L. I moved uptown and the L is no longer on my radar, so I miss it. I used to love looking at the hipsters who thought they were sooo different (but strangely all dressed the same) get on at the Bedford stop. When I moved I could see them staying on the train longer and longer...they will soon infiltrate Bushwick - my old home. Now that I live off the ABCD and the 2/3 I can honestly say that people are not nearly as colorful as they were in Williamsburg. That makes my train ride less fun. Gosh. I love the L. read more

I don't know guys. You know how great scientific minds say that we only remember bad things because those are what our brains are wired to remember and uneventful "smooth" things seep out of our memory like so much sand? So that's where I'm at with this damned L Train. Seems every morning something goes wrong and me and several hundred of my closest friends end up crammed together cursing our fates like Elaine in that one Seinfeld episode. Sometimes the train just stops and someone goes "Ok well, you guys suck so get off." Sometimes the count down clock clicks down to zero only to reset again at thirteen minutes. It's been an exercise in frustration riding this thing in the morning. Or has it? I really can't tell if I'm just just remembering the bad stuff and glossing over the smooth rides where I got to work on time and nobody glared at me like I was some kind of party-time bozo who doesn't take life seriously. I think I'm going to conduct a 2-3 week experience and jot down every day I had an issue and every day it was fine. Then I'll come back and write another review. SCIENCE. For now, three stars L train. Skating on some thin ass ice. read more