December is an anomaly. We had an array of trouble. We had contractor problems, where contractors weren't able to clear the tracks in time for rush hour. We had a broken rail, missing third-rail shoes, locomotive engine failures, and then we had the (New York City transit) strike in December. That affected all the lines because of slower boarding and congestions. We had trains stacked.

We are actively at the bargaining table, and we already have agreements with one-third of our work force, and the terms are reasonable and fair. Obviously we're going to have similar agreements with ... these other unions.

The contractor is on schedule and the work is 80 percent complete.

We are declining to discuss the details of the bargaining. We're doing our bargaining at the table.

When you're walking from the Broadhurst, those eight minutes make a huge difference. They could be the difference between a hectic end to a night on the town and a leisurely one.

The choice was between shutting down service or delaying service, because the recovery operation would have blocked the yard, too. So we decided to wait until after the morning rush to do the job.

People in the community who served on our advisory panel about the project told us they wanted the station to have a sense of place, an identity as a destination, and that's what these signs are designed to do.

We're not planning to go 24 hours, but we are taking a step in that direction.

People have told us in letters and phone calls that they have to jog from Lincoln Center to make their train. We hear plenty of tales of missed trains.