Moves across Hall from the Avenue underjump are eliminated. Naturally taking the Brooklyn traffic out of Hall eases congestion, simplifies operation and reduces the opportunity for delays.
It is envisioned that when ESA opens, most of the Downtown Manhattan traffic would return to Penn Station from FBA. This would significantly reduce FBA ridership and fewer working riders would be inconvenienced. For planning purposes, the MTA distinguishes between "working riders" who commute (pay taxes, vote and influence politics) and "non-working riders" (consumers) who ride occasionally, ride on free programs, are visiting or shopping. Priority for service quality is given to those who "pay the bill," commute daily and must keep a schedule.
True, making the Flatbush operation a shuttle is the easy way out. Complexity has a price, and that price is often reliability.