In 2009, the MTA added five stops to the G-train route in Brooklyn, including Seventh Avenue, 15th Street and Church Avenue. I for one was shocked the first time I saw a G train at the Seventh Avenue F-train station. Hey, what’s that doing here?

Interestingly, the addition of the five stops never had anything to do with rider convenience or the connecting of previously unconnected neighborhoods. It was all about track work on the F- line that prevented the G-train from doing its turnaround.

As far as the MTA was concerned: when the construction ended, the G-line extension would be history.

Over time, I made use of that G-train. I’d take it to Hoyt/Schermerhorn and connect to the A train into Manhattan or to Bed Stuy. I’d take it to Williamsburg. Like me, riders liked the extra five stops and the convenience and connections they offered. The only negative is when you’re waiting for a F-train into Manhattan and the G-train pulls into the station instead of the F. I have been known to utter: “Damn that G-train.” But there’s usually an G-train close behind.

Business owners along the new route liked it, too. Many local politicians, including Marty Markowitz, state Sen, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Daniel Squadron joined with riders and local businesses to pressure the MTA to keep the five extra stops.

The pressure worked, we’ve got our extra five stops for G-train travel and everybody is happy.