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Service Diversions 09-26-13

Posted by
on September 26th, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Get a head start on your plans for the first official fall weekend as I have just updated the Service Diversions.

Make sure to follow @TransitBlogger on Twitter by clicking the button in the sidebar as I am using it more often. Also if you are into indie music make sure to follow @IndMusicReview & @SurgeFM

Have a safe & wonderful weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions
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Fastrack Returns To Broadway N & Q Stations

Posted by
on September 26th, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Next week FASTRACK will be returning to N Train & Q Train stations in Manhattan. Here are the details via the press release I received:

MTA New York City Transit’s FASTRACK program is returning to the [N] [Q] stations in Manhattan for the fourth time this year. From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., on four consecutive weeknights beginning Monday, September 30 and ending early morning Friday, October 4, service is suspended at all [N] [Q] stations in Manhattan. [N] trains will operate in Queens and Brooklyn only. [Q] trains will operate in Brooklyn and on the 6th Avenue [D] line in Manhattan. [R] service ends early in Manhattan, Queens and in Brooklyn between 36th Street and Court Street each night.

[N] trains operate in two sections:

1. Between Ditmars Blvd and Queensboro Plaza

2. Between Stillwell Avenue and the Court Street [R] station

Customers should use these travel alternatives:

• Take the [7] for service between Queens and Manhattan.

• Take the [2] [4] [D] [F] and [Q] for service between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

• In Manhattan, use nearby stations on other lines instead.

• Transfer between trains at Queensboro Plaza [7] [N], 5th Avenue-42nd Street-Bryant Park [7] [D] [F] [Q], Jay Street-MetroTech [A] [F] [N] and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center [2] [4] [D] [N] [Q].

[Q] trains operate as follows:

• Manhattan-bound, after DeKalb Avenue, [Q] trains run via the [D] line to 47th -50th Sts, then to the 57th Street [F] station, the last stop.

• Coney Island-bound, trains originate at the 57th Street [F] station, then run via the [D] line to Brooklyn. Regular Coney Island-bound [Q] service resumes after DeKalb Avenue.

 
For travel alternatives, customers should:

• Take the [Q] to/from 6th Avenue stations in Manhattan.

• Transfer between trains at 5th Avenue-42nd Street-Bryant Park [7] [D] [F] [Q] and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center [2] [4] [D] [N] [Q].

During the June 2013 FASTRACK on the [N] [Q] stations in Manhattan, maintenance workers removed 166,300 pounds of scrap and debris, cleared 1,255 third rail defects, serviced 25 switches and 44 signals, cleared 2,650 feet of track drain, cleaned and tested 505 public address system speakers, and replaced 820 tunnel light bulbs.

These FASTRACK efforts have been designed around the careful determination that there is adequate alternate means of transportation, including enhanced services along some bus lines during work periods. Alternative transportation options will be detailed in announcements and posters on trains, in stations and on selected buses; brochures will be available in both English and Spanish. Information on this FASTRACK is available on the web at http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/fastrack_NQR.htm.

The following FASTRACK will be on the weekend of October 5 and 6. There will be no service on the [D] line between Coney Island/Stillwell Av and Bay Pkwy and no [N] service between Coney Island/Stillwell Av and 86th Street from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6.

The first weekend FASTRACK on the [D] and [N] elevated track in southern Brooklyn was in April 2013. Maintenance workers serviced two switches and eight signals and installed various switch components at the Bay 50th interlocking. Crews also replaced rails and welded switch components that permit the wheels on one rail of track to cross to an intersecting rail.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 09-19-13

Posted by
on September 19th, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Get a head start on your plans for the last official summer weekend as I have just updated the Service Diversions.

Make sure to follow @TransitBlogger on Twitter by clicking the button in the sidebar as I am using it more often. Also if you are into indie music make sure to follow @IndMusicReview & @SurgeFM

Have a safe & wonderful weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
Service Diversions
0

Carmen Bianco Named NYCT President

Posted by
on September 18th, 2013 at 2:58 pm

Earlier this morning, the MTA NYC Transit announced that they have named Carmen Bianco as their new president. Here is more via the release I received:

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast today announced that following a nationwide search to serve as his permanent successor, he has appointed Carmen Bianco as President of MTA New York City Transit.

New York City Transit is the largest mass transit provider in North America, moving more than 7.5 million customers a day on buses, subways, paratransit and Staten Island Railway in New York City. Bianco is the seventh person to serve as president since the title was created in 1980. He has served as Acting President since April, and previously served as Senior Vice President of the Department of Subways, overseeing the entire subway system since 2010.

“When I returned to New York City Transit, Carmen was my pick to head the Department of Subways because of his extensive background in safety, his management skills and his vision of guiding the system into the future,” said Chairman Prendergast. “Carmen is a leader with lengthy mass transit and railroad career experience. He understands the issues, is an advocate for the customer and will remain someone the employees can depend upon for support.”

Bianco, 61, led the subway system through the MTA’s response to Superstorm Sandy, which flooded tunnels, inundated stations and washed out tracks in the most devastating event to ever strike the subways. He oversaw the immediate efforts to pump out water and make round-the-clock emergency repairs, the unprecedented construction work to restore damaged areas to service, and the long-term planning to prevent future flooding.

“I am extremely proud, yet humbled at being picked to lead the 45,000 men and women who make up MTA New York City Transit,” Bianco said. “To perform this job to the best of my ability, I will need the assistance of each and every one of them. They are the people who go out on a daily basis and move New York City, and were responsible for restoring service after Sandy. While there are great challenges ahead, I know I am supported by the finest team in the mass transit industry. Together we will continue to improve the travel experience for our 7.5 million daily subway, bus, paratransit and Staten Island Railway customers.”

As head of Subways, Bianco oversaw the restructuring of the Department of Subways, led the development of the successful the FASTRACK program, and continued New York City Transit’s introduction of new technologies, particularly those that improve customer communications and efficient train operation.

Bianco is a 30-year veteran of the transportation industry, who previously served as head of New York City Transit’s Department of System Safety from 1991 to 1995. Bianco has also held senior safety positions at Amtrak and NJ Transit. He returned to New York City Transit in March 2010 as Senior Vice President of subways, and was named Acting President after Governor Andrew M. Cuomo nominated Prendergast to be MTA Chairman and CEO in April.

Basically today was just a way for the agency to officially give Carmen the position as he had been in charge on an interim basis the past 5 months. During his interim tenure, he helped the agency get a lot done in terms of Hurricane Sandy repairs which I complement him on. I also extend kudos to him for helping spearhead the FASTRACK program which has been a rousing success since its implementation last year. Here is to hoping he continues to take the agency forward in the coming years.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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LIRR & Unions Reduce Labor Costs By $6.5M

Posted by
on September 18th, 2013 at 2:49 pm

In what should be considered a win all the way around, the MTA Long Island Rail Road & local private sector unions have reached an agreement that will help reduce labor costs by $6.5M on several projects. Here is more via the official release I was sent:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that MTA Long Island Rail Road and local private-sector unions have reached a Project Labor Agreement designed to reduce the LIRR’s labor costs on seven major construction projects by nearly 11%, saving the Railroad an estimated $6.5 million over the course of the next five years while protecting local trade union jobs.

“This Project Labor Agreement is a real win-win for both the riders of the LIRR and the hardworking men and women of local Long Island trade unions,” Governor Cuomo said. “As the MTA moves forward on vital LIRR repairs and improvement projects, this agreement will help reduce costs, while creating and retaining good jobs on Long Island. I commend the leadership of the MTA and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk for their hard work in reaching this agreement.”

The agreement, negotiated between the LIRR and the Buildings and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, is a first for the MTA and the LIRR. In addition to reducing costs, the pact includes a ‘no strike’ clause on the covered projects, provides opportunities for minorities and women to enter trade union apprentice programs and includes non-discrimination provisions in union hiring hall and job placement practices.

The first project to benefit from the agreement, which is subject to approval by the MTA Board of Directors, will be civil and structural work for Phase 1 of the LIRR’s proposed construction of a second track on its Main Line between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma scheduled to get underway early next year. The MTA has budgeted $137.7 million for this first phase in its 2010-2014 Capital Plan.

The ‘Double Track’ project will improve service and reliability on one of the LIRR’s busiest branches, spur economic activity, improve off peak frequency of service and reserve peak commuting opportunities, including connections to MacArthur Airport. The Double Track project environmental assessment and 30-day comment period on the project has been completed and a final decision on the project is expected in the fall.

The seven projects covered by the agreement are expected to create between 400 and 500 private sector construction jobs on Long Island.

The other projects covered by the agreement are: the New Mid-Suffolk Electric Yard ($76.6 million); Hicksville Station Improvements ($55.2 million) and Hicksville North Siding ($37.7 million); Ellison Avenue Bridge Replacement in Mineola ($39.2 million); Great Neck Pocket Track Extension ($25.8 million); Wantagh Station Platform Replacement ($20.7 million); and the Colonial Road Highway Bridge Replacement, also in Great Neck ($9.5 million). The total cost of union labor on those projects was originally estimated at $60.1 million.

“The MTA is the economic engine of the region and this ground breaking agreement will ensure that the jobs we help create through our capital program stay local and help the Long Island economy,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast. “At the same time, by working with organized labor, we will also be able to hold down costs and save precious dollars on these LIRR projects.”

“This agreement will result in real cost savings to LIRR customers and to the taxpayer,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “At the same time, it means that local construction jobs will go to Long Islanders whose spending power helps fuel the Long Island economy. We wanted to make sure we did everything we could to preserve local jobs while getting the most value for the MTA as we modernize and improve the LIRR. I want to thank our labor partners in the building trades for showing real leadership and flexibility to get this agreement done. It will benefit their members, the railroad and all of Long Island.”

“Long awaited projects including Double Track mean better, more reliable service for LIRR commuters and we are pleased to see that they will be done with local labor, preserving local jobs, while helping the MTA hold down costs,” said LIRRCC Chairman Mark J. Epstein. “This is a ground breaking agreement for the LIRR, the MTA and organized labor on Long Island. It shows that when all sides work together, vitally necessary projects can move forward benefitting commuters and the LI economy.”

State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. said, “This agreement is a win for Long Island commuters, labor force and economy. I commend the Long Island Rail Road and the Building and Construction Trades of Nassau and Suffolk County for working together to come to an agreement that will allow these vital projects to move forward ensuring that our mass transit system continues to be efficient and reliable.”

County Executive Steve Bellone said, “Congratulations to the Long Island Railroad and the Building and Construction Trades of Nassau and Suffolk Counties for negotiating a Project Labor Agreement which saves money, promotes economic development and protects union jobs. The men and women of the construction trades are a critical component of the regional economy and this agreement will provide an opportunity for more construction personnel to enter apprentice programs and secure good paying jobs and increase their skill sets.”

Richard O’Kane, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk, said, “This agreement reflects not just the strong work ethic of organized labor but the ability of public authorities to work closely with the construction trades for the purpose of strengthening our region’s critical infrastructure. We are proud to be part of this dual track coalition and we are looking forward to helping create the groundwork for a strong and robust 21st Century mass transit system on Long Island.”

Rich Schaffer, Town of Babylon Supervisor, said, “This historic agreement is proof that by working together on all levels, major savings can be achieved for the benefit of taxpayers. I applaud Governor Cuomo, the MTA and everyone involved in this agreement because it means good local jobs and the start of the LIRR repairs and improvements that will benefit all Long Island commuters.”

Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine said, “This agreement announced today by Governor Cuomo will provide a major economic boost for our area. With creation of up to 500 private sector jobs and savings of more than $6 million, this is truly a win-win for our residents, and I thank the Governor for his leadership on this issue.”

The Buildings and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk is an umbrella organization representing 20 trade unions, all signatories of the agreement. Those unions are the Operating Engineers Local 138, Plumbers Local 200, Steam Fitters Local 638,Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, Asbestos Workers Local 12, Roofers Local 154, Iron Workers Local 361, Painters Local 1486, I.B.T. Local 282, Glaziers Local 1087, Bricklayers Local 1, Cement Masons Local 780, Engineers Local 15-D, Resilient Floor Coverers, Local 2287, Iron Workers Local 580, Laborers Local 66, Suburban New York Regional Council of Carpenters, Sheet Metal Workers Local 137, Laborers Local 1298, Lathers Local 46, Elevator Constructors Local 1 and Dockbuilders Local 1456.

Under the agreement, the Railroad guarantees that its contractors will employ only trade workers under the terms of collective agreements in the construction industry on Long Island, a key issue for labor which has seen many local jobs go to out-of-state firms employing non-union workers in recent years.

In undertaking negotiations with the Buildings and Construction Trades Council and its members, the Long Island Rail Road’s goal was to obtain the best work at the lowest possible price, prevent favoritism, fraud and corruption, and avoid delays and labor unrest.

In seeking to achieve this goal, the unions agreed to the following changes in their current contracts:

• A 40-hour work week for all trades

• 10-hour days Monday – Thursday straight-time with Friday make-up days; Saturday overtime capped at time and a half rate;

• Eight annual holidays; and

• Maximum percentage apprenticeship work force allowed by state law.

The LIRR estimates that the contract revisions will result in direct savings of $6,595,179 or 10.97% of the total labor cost of these capital projects. The estimated economic benefits of the PLA have been confirmed in a study performed by the engineering firm of Hill International, which has performed this service in connection with numerous other PLAs. Moreover, additional savings are expected as a result of no-strike and management rights provisions which ensure the work proceeds expeditiously with a dependable contractor workforce over the full five-year period.

The deal includes Equal Opportunity hiring provisions and promises fair treatment for minority and women contractors, terms of which were negotiated with the help of MTA Chief Diversity Officer Michael Garner. Veterans also benefit through the use of the “Helmets to Hardhats” program, providing qualified individuals with apprenticeship opportunities.

Deals like this help show that both sides can reach an agreement that benefits each other instead of never ending labor disputes that do no good in the long run.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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