Ticket to ride: travails on the rails to work.

ZIP code 11237 rides the subway more than the average neighborhood, at least according to the 2000 census--the last thorough statistical look at the area. Some 58 percent of residents took mass transit to work, compared with 53 percent citywide, and about 46 percent used the subway, versus 38 percent in the city as a whole. The area is mainly served by two lines, the L and M.

The L train is not always beloved. "The L train is an absolute bitch to take in the morning 'cause I'm usually glued onto another passenger unwillingly, and I get stepped on," wrote commenter Steve T on an L-train thread at Yelp.com. "The L train is the worst of the worst," added Sean R. "Dear L Train," wrote a different Sean, "When I first found out I was going to be with you everyday, I was super excited. You seemed flashy and exciting. Everyone said you were a fucking loser, but I said no! ... Then came the delays, the service cuts, the near panic that comes from being in a shuttle bus packed to brim ... Don't call me, I switched my number."

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

On the MTA's rider survey in 2007, the L received a C+ from riders, only marginally better than the M--despite the fact that the transit advocacy group Straphangers Campaign has in recent years given high marks to the L for timeliness, reliability and the clarity of the public address system.--JM