July 11, 2007 -- First they swiped their MetroCards, then they took swipes at the MTA. More than 35,000 straphangers snatched up the "rider report cards" that transit officials handed out yesterday on the 7 line as part of an effort to gauge where the system needs improvement.
Beginning with the No. 7, for the first time ever, the MTA is asking its riders to grade their subway lines in 21 categories, such as delays, cleanliness, station announcements and helpfulness of transit workers.
The grades - from A to F - will be tabulated over the next two weeks as riders mail in their surveys or do them online.
NYC Transit spokesman - and 7 train rider - Paul Fleuranges offered his own assessment of his subway line.
"I ride the 7 every day, and if I had to grade it, I'd be in the B to B+ range," he said.
The Post asked seven 7 train riders at the Main Street-Flushing stop to rate their line; the average grade was a B minus.
"The No. 7 train is excellent - best in the city, best in the world," said Richard Blansit, a private contractor. "[But] they could improve service in the afternoon and run more trains so it's less crowded."
Not all straphangers were quite as enthusiastic.
"The 7 train has to be one of the worst of all of New York," said Bobby Rivera, 26, a paralegal.
"It's really horrible and always crowded. No question, it's got to be a big F."
Most of the seven surveyed gave a lukewarm appraisal.
"I'd say it's pretty good," said Dennis Hall, 27, a computer programmer.
"They really need to work on making the signs less confusing and announcements more audible."
Among the most common complaints was the confusion around whether a train is an express or a local.
"The sign comes up that there's an express coming, and then it turns our to be a local," said summer intern Brooke Maurer, 21. "That's confusing."
Riders also said that the 7 train is too crowded and that the MTA has to find a way to add service.
Maxine Appling's biggest gripe was the size of the seats.
"They really need to change the configuration of the seats," she said.
"There aren't enough of them, and the seats aren't big enough, and for overweight people, that is a problem."
Transit officials say they hope to get back at least 400 report cards, but will likely received many more.
The results of each subway survey will be released as it is completed, Fleuranges said.
The MTA will continue to hand out the report cards tomorrow and Thursday. You can find a copy online at www.mta.info.
