1 Train Line October Service Changes
Back in July, the MTA announced a $47M station rehabilitation project that would affect 5 stations on the 
. 12 days ago, work officially started on the project. Earlier today, MTA NYC Transit announced the October service changes via this press release:
You might enjoy reading these related entries:Due to the ongoing station repair work at the 207th, 215th, 225th, 238th, and 242nd Street stations, and the station rehabilitation at Dyckman Street, there will be no No.1 service between 242nd Street and 168th Street for all five weekends in October.
During these periods, free shuttle buses will operate on Broadway between 242nd Street and 215th Street then connect to the A train at 207th Street. There is a second shuttle bus operation serving St. Nicholas Avenue, stopping at 191st Street, 181st Street and 168th Street. The M3 will also allow free boardings at these three stops. Additionally, on Saturday, October 2 and 9, between 11:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. free shuttle buses will be available between Columbia University’s Baker Field and the 207th Street A Line station located on Broadway at Isham Street.
During all October weekends, with the exception of Saturday, October 23, the No. 1 will operate as a local between 168th Street and 34th Street, and non-stop between 34th Street and 14th Street where it will terminate. Nos. 2 and 3 trains will run local between 96th Street and Chambers Street. Due to work being performed by the Port Authority at the WTC site, free shuttle buses will replace No. 1 train service between Chambers Street and South Ferry.
On Saturday, October 23, No. 1 service will operate normally as a local between 242nd Street and 34th Street and then express between 34th Street and 14th Street. On that weekend, the suspension of No. 1 service between 242nd Street and 168th Street will begin at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, October 24 and continue until 5 a.m. Monday, October 25.
- Service Diversions 02-10-12
- Service Diversions Look Ahead 03/26-03/29
- $47M #1 Train Line Construction Project Begins
- Fulton/Broadway-Nassau Look Ahead
- Fulton Transit Center October Work Schedule
Extremely Limited LIRR Service For 2 Weekends
Let me first apologize for not posting this sooner. Anyhow….
This past Monday, the MTA Long Island Rail Road announced that for 2 weekends, there will be extremely limited service due to a major signal modernization program at & around Jamaica Station. Here are the complete details courtesy of the press release they sent out
LIRR Modernization Project Brings State of the Art Technology to Centralized Signaling and Switch Control at Jamaica
Customers advised to use LIRR for Essential Business Travel Only
• Limited LIRR Service between Jamaica & Penn during Final Installation;
• Many LIRR Customers Will Be Required to Use the E Subway Train between Penn Station and Jamaica;
• No LIRR Service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal;
• Significant Service Changes on all LIRR Branches Except the Port Washington Branch
LIRR customers are advised that during two weekends in the fall – October 23-24 and November 6-7 – there will be extremely limited LIRR service, especially between Jamaica Station and Penn Station, as the LIRR cuts over to a modern signal and switching control system at Jamaica.
As a result of the extremely limited service, the LIRR advises that only customers traveling for essential business – such as first responders (police, fire) and service employees with no other alternatives – should use the LIRR during these two weekends. Customers traveling for recreational purposes during this period should consider travel on the Port Washington Branch or other travel alternatives.
During the two cutover weekends, many customers will need to take the “E” subway line service between Jamaica and Penn Station.
The new signal system upgrade will bring state-of-the-art computerized microprocessor technology to Jamaica’s critical switching area and centralizes the switching and signal control from three existing signal towers at Jamaica – including Hall Tower where the switching board was damaged by a major fire last month that disrupted service.
“This project will help us get ready for the future and continue our ongoing effort to modernize the LIRR’s most critical signal and switching systems,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “Last month’s fire at Jamaica underscored the need for this upgrade and we ask for customer’s patience during these two weekends. The work will help ensure reliability of train service going forward.”
Extensive testing of the new equipment requires these weekend service reductions, including no train service between Mineola and Jamaica Station, no train service between Queens Village and Jamaica, and no train service between Jamaica Station and Atlantic Terminal. LIRR train service on all branches will be significantly affected, except for the Port Washington Branch.
The key customer travel info for both weekends includes:
• LIRR should be used for essential business travel only
• Only three trains will operate each hour between Jamaica and Penn Station (about one-third regular weekend service level
• Alternative subway service is available via NYC Transit’s “E” subway line between Penn Station and Jamaica (the Archer/Sutphin stop on the “E”)
• There will be no LIRR train service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn
• Buses replace LIRR trains between Mineola and Jamaica on the Huntington/Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma (overnight period only) and Oyster Bay Branches
• Buses replace LIRR trains between Queens Village and Jamaica on the Hempstead Branch
• Babylon and Huntington weekend service will be reduced from half-hourly to hourly.
• Most Ronkonkoma trains will be re-routed along the Babylon Branch for a portion of the trip
• Allow up to 70 minutes of additional travel time
• No LIRR train or bus service will operate to/from Atlantic Terminal, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Hollis, Locust Manor, Laurelton, Rosedale, Merillon Avenue, New Hyde Park, St. Albans, Nostrand Avenue and East New York.
LIRR customers are strongly advised to pick up special weekend timetables dated October 23-24 and November 6-7 and familiarize themselves with the significant changes taking place these weekends.
Extra LIRR personnel will be on duty throughout the two weekends to assist customers and to make sure the project is completed on time.
The Jamaica Signal cutover project consists of installing a new microprocessor technology signal system in the three interlockings (signal and switching areas) that control train movement through Jamaica. These three interlockings are called Jay, Dunton and Hall. Upon completion of the project – which requires two 48-hour weekend service disruptions – signals and switches will be controlled from one facility, Jamaica Central Control; instead of the three towers located in each of these interlockings.
The project brings state-of-the-art technology to this critical LIRR location by replacing the 1910’s-era electro-mechanical Model 14 Interlocking Machines at the three towers with a modern microprocessor based system. The new more reliable system will increase operational flexibility for the large volume of trains that pass through this area, helping to reduce customer delays.
The new system also will provide redundant signal control systems and will allow for quicker recovery time in the event of a power surge, or lightning storm or fire-related service disruption like those experienced last month when high voltage power entered the signal system and damaged the wiring to the signal control board in Jamaica’s Hall Tower.
The cost of the project is approximately $56-million. Funding is provided by the MTA Capital Program.
During the cutover, train movement through Jamaica Station will be limited to two tracks (one track east and one track west). Routes will be limited through Jamaica resulting in the ability to move three trains per hour in each direction from the south shore only.
Normally, the LIRR operates 2 to 3 times more weekend trains through Jamaica from 10 of its 11 branches. As a result, buses and subway service will replace LIRR trains. Because of the route restrictions, train service will also bypass some LIRR stations.
A key element in the alternative transportation plans for the two weekends is that LIRR customers will use NYC Transit’s “E” subway service for travel between Jamaica and Penn Station.
Below is a branch-by-branch description of how service will be impacted during the two weekends.
Port Washington Branch:
Since the Port Washington Branch is the LIRR’s only branch that does not operate through Jamaica Station, regular hourly weekend service will be provided on these two weekends.
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City Terminal Zone:
Jamaica – Penn Station:
Only three trains will operate each hour to/from Penn Station. Alternative subway service is available via NYC Transit’s “E” subway line operating between Penn and Jamaica (Archer/Sutphin stop on the “E”).
Jamaica – Atlantic Terminal:
There will be no train service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn.
• Eastbound customers at Atlantic Terminal are advised to take NYC Transit subway service to Penn Station, and then take one of the three trains per hour leaving Penn to either Ronkonkoma, Babylon, or Long Beach. For travel to other eastern terminals customers at Penn should take NYC Transit’s “E” subway line to Jamaica. Subway service between lower Manhattan, northern Brooklyn and Jamaica is also available via the “J” subway line.
• Westbound customers at Jamaica looking to travel to Atlantic Terminal should take NYC Transit’s “E” subway line to Penn Station, Times Square or World Trade Center for transfers to the “2” or “3” subway lines to Atlantic Terminal.
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Babylon Branch:
Train service is reduced from half-hourly to hourly operating direct to/from Penn Station. Trains will make all local stops between Babylon and Rockville Centre. Babylon Branch trains will also receive connections from Montauk trains at Babylon station.
—-
Montauk Branch:
Diesel service will not operate west of Babylon station. All westbound Montauk Branch trains will terminate at Babylon. All eastbound Montauk Branch trains will originate at Babylon. Connections will be available at Babylon for local train service to and from Penn Station. There are less Montauk Branch trains operating these weekends and stops have been added to other trains.
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Long Beach Branch:
Long Beach Branch trains will run hourly direct to/from Penn Station making local stops between Valley Stream and Long Beach. Long Beach trains will also connect with Far Rockaway trains at Valley Stream Station.
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Far Rockaway Branch:
Service is reduced from hourly to every two hours on the Far Rockaway Branch. Shuttle trains will operate between Far Rockaway and Valley Stream Station. Connections will be made at Valley Stream Station with Long Beach Branch trains for direct service to/from Penn Station.
—-
Port Jefferson Branch (west of Huntington):
Service will run hourly instead of half-hourly between Huntington and Mineola.
• Westbound Huntington Branch customers will take trains to Mineola, where they will board buses for travel to Jamaica. At Jamaica, customers can transfer to NYC Transit’s “E” subway line for service to Penn Station.
• Eastbound Huntington Branch customers will take NYC Transit’s “E” subway line at Penn Station to Jamaica and transfer to buses bound for Mineola. At Mineola, customers will transfer to a train for the remainder of the trip to Huntington.
—-
Port Jefferson Branch (east of Huntington):
Service will operate every two-hours instead of every 90 minutes. Westbound diesel trains will terminate at Huntington. Eastbound diesel trains will originate at Huntington. Local electric train service will operate between Huntington and Mineola. Customers will board buses for travel between Mineola and Jamaica; and transfer to/from NYC Transit’s “E” subway line at Jamaica for service between Jamaica and Penn Station.
—-
Ronkonkoma Branch:
From 7 AM to 11 PM:
Service will operate hourly between Ronkonkoma and Farmingdale stations to Penn Station using Dual-Mode diesel trains from 7:00 AM. to 11:00 PM. These dual mode trains will operate along the Babylon Branch for a portion of its route.
Overnight:
During overnight periods, trains will operate between Ronkonkoma and Mineola.
• Westbound Ronkonkoma Branch customers will take trains to Mineola, where they will board buses for travel to Jamaica. At Jamaica, customers will transfer to NYC Transit’s “E” subway line for service to Penn Station.
• Eastbound Ronkonkoma Branch customers will take NYC Transit’s “E” subway line at Penn Station to Jamaica and transfer to buses bound for Mineola. At Mineola, customers will transfer to a train for the remainder of the trip to Ronkonkoma.
—-
Oyster Bay Branch:
Train service will operate every two hours between Oyster Bay and Mineola on the Oyster Bay Branch.
• Westbound Oyster Bay Branch customers will take trains to Mineola, where they will board buses for travel to Jamaica. At Jamaica, customers will transfer to NYC Transit’s “E” subway line for express service to Penn Station.
• Eastbound Oyster Bay Branch customers will take NYC Transit’s “E” subway line at Penn Station to Jamaica and transfer to buses bound for Mineola. At Mineola, customers will transfer to a train for the remainder of the trip to Oyster Bay.
—-
Hempstead Branch:
Train service will be provided every two hours, instead of hourly, on the Hempstead Branch between Hempstead and Queens Village.
• Westbound Hempstead Branch customers will take trains to Queens Village where they will board buses for travel to Jamaica. At Jamaica, customers will transfer to NYC Transit’s “E” subway line for express service to Penn Station.
• Eastbound Hempstead Branch customers will take NYC Transit’s “E” subway line at Penn Station to Jamaica and transfer to buses bound for Queens Village. At Queens Village, customers will transfer to a train for the remainder of the trip to Hempstead.
—-
Stations without service:
During the two Jamaica Cutover weekends, the following LIRR stations will not have train or bus service: Atlantic Terminal, Nostrand Avenue, East New York, Locust Manor, Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Hollis, Kew Gardens, and Forest Hills.
_______________
Customers should pick up copies of the special October 23-24 and November 6-7 Jamaica Cutover weekend timetable for their branches at all terminals or their local stations starting in mid-October.
For additional information, customers can contact the LIRR’s Travel Information Center, in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR, in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR or in New York City at 718-217-LIRR. The Travel Information Center’s TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022.
Looks like I will be driving into the city on these 2 weekends as I don’t have the patience for extreme commutes. I’m not angry about it though since the work needs to be done & it is for the better of everyone.
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Brooklyn Pols Want Express Bus Service Restored
Many riders & elected officials bemoaned the MTA’s initial announcement of massive service cuts due to budget woes. When the cuts went into effect & reality set in, those complaints became louder. Many of the complaints centered around bus service which took the biggest blow from the MTA’s service ax.
Express bus service was especially hit hard in the outer boroughs as a number of lines either saw reductions or were completely eliminated. Some officials have expressed outrage about service cuts but have done little else. Two Brooklyn officials however dealt with it in a different manner as they took their constituents complaints directly to the MTA.
Harold Egeln of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle has more on the actions of State Sen. Marty Golden & Councilman Vincent Gentile
Complaints from Bay Ridge and southern Brooklyn express bus riders about longer-than-usual commutes have flooded the offices of Bay Ridge elected officials, who have taken their case right to MTA headquarters in Manhattan.
“Since these cuts [this June] have gone into effect, the commute of many, young and old, seniors and the disabled, has been increased by more than 40 minutes. And for some by one hour, with overcrowded-, and standing-room only conditions,” state Sen. Marty Golden (Republican/Conservative-Southern Brooklyn) told the MTA Transit Committee.
The meeting was held on Monday at MTA headquarters in Manhattan. Of the cuts, Golden said, “Long lines at bus stops, increased travel time, a lesser quality of life and commute — that’s how the MTA is ‘going your way?’”
Both Golden and Councilman Vincent Gentile (Democrat-Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights) testified for their cause at the meeting. They emphatically urged full restoration of X37 and X38 service to Midtown Manhattan, and called the MTA proposal for some X27 and X28 buses to bypass lower Manhattan during the rush hours a poor substitute for needed changes.
“Implementing your proposal as it stands is nothing more than putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound,” said Gentile, adding that he appreciated the MTA recognition of a problem. “Thank you for acknowledging that damage has been done, but we need more and we need it soon.”
Golden, instrumental in securing express bus service years ago, made his constituents’ voice clear. He told the committee that riders calling their commutes “atrocious” and “harrowing” continually bombard his office with complaints.
Click here for the complete report.
I must say it is a change of pace to see elected officials actually doing something for their constituents in terms of mass transit. Most times it is the rah rah complaining for the cameras or print but no legitimate dialog with the MTA. However with saying that, I can’t agree with their assessment that service should be restored to pre-cut levels.
I do feel for the couple of thousand riders who have undergone a tougher commute, it still is just a couple of thousand. In these tough economic times, the MTA has to continue to find ways to cutback on costs where legitimately possible. It is a tough sell to justify the continuing bleeding of cash to operate service that such a small percentage of people use.
While we all want our commutes to be as easy & direct as possible for our own selfish reasons, we must accept that decisions have to be made for the greater good & not just a select few. If the MTA can operate some sort of service that would not be constituted as a waste, they should. However if it can not be done, these riders just have to understand why the tough choices were made.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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15,700 Fare Beaters Arrested So Far In 2010
Whether it is lowlifes deciding to not pay, or similar individuals jamming MetroCard Vending Machines to sell rides for cash, fare evasion is a problem that continues to cost the MTA. A report that should appear in today’s New York Daily News looks at how 15,700 people have been arrested so far this year for fare evasion. Pete Donohue has more:
A police crackdown on fare evasion has netted 15,700 arrests so far this year – an 11% increase over last year.
Undercover cops and uniformed officers have been targeting stations where vandalism to MetroCard vending machines is most frequent, NYPD Transit Bureau Chief Raymond Diaz said.
So-called swipers try to attract customers by jamming vending machines, often in unstaffed areas of a station.
They then offer discounted entrance into the system.
Some riders encountering vandalized machines jump the turnstile rather than walk to another part of the station to buy a MetroCard from a token booth clerk, Diaz said.
The MTA this summer laid off about 450 token booth clerks, but Diaz refused to say whether the staff cuts had any impact on the frequency of fare evasion.
Click here for the complete report.
One can argue that fare evasion is like prostitution, a crime that is old & unlikely to ever completely go away. Even with saying that, it is refreshing to see a full effort being executed to cut back on it. While the money from actual rides is just a drop in the agency’s financial picture, it adds up in the long run. One day it would be nice to see this type of crime be done away with completely.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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NYCT Introduces Prototype Help Point Intercom
A prototype of the “Help Point” Intercom that the MTA will install at 2 subway stations for testing. Photo courtesy of the MTA.
Anyone who rides the NYC Subway knows that the passenger intercoms in place leave a lot to be desired in terms of functionality & usefulness. If MTA NYC Transit has its way, that perception will do a complete 180 as earlier today they introduced a prototype “Help Point” Intercom. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release I received:
MTA New York City Transit’s newly-designed Help Point Intercom (HPI) prototype marks an important shift toward providing subway customers waiting in stations with a reliable, highly visible and easy-to-use communications device that will offer instant access to help and information with the touch of a button. New York City Transit officials demonstrated the new system to MTA Board members today.
Created specifically for the subway environment, the HPI is designed to be an easily recognizable communications tool for subway customers who need to report an emergency or simply want to ask, “What train goes to the Rockaways?” Customers can expect faster response times, improved capabilities and much clearer audio than they are accustomed to with the Customer Assistance Intercoms currently in use in subway stations.
Their unique appearance will make the HPIs easily identifiable whether located on station mezzanines or platforms. The sleek, modern design is metal with a blue light on top to enhance its visibility. The units are designed to be mounted vertically on either a station wall or platform column. The HPIs will be easy to use and have induction loop technology for the hearing impaired. The new technology devices will also be camera capable.
“These HPIs are another example of how the MTA is using technology to fundamentally change the way that our customers experience the transit system each day,” MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder said.
“We have designed the HPI to be a major step beyond the Customer Assistance Intercoms that passengers may see in stations now,” said NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast. “Make no mistake, this device represents impressive 21st century technology and it demonstrates our ability to incorporate it into a system that is more than 100 years old.”
In addition to the speaker and the microphone, the control panel contains a red emergency button and a green information button. Emergency calls are routed to the subway Rail Control Center while information calls are sent to Travel Information or the station booth.
Plans currently call for a pilot installation in two stations along the Lexington Avenue Line—Brooklyn Bridge and 23rd Street Stations. The pilot will also serve as an evaluation platform to compare wired and wireless units. The full roll out will be determined after the evaluation of the pilot.
Click here for a higher resolution view of the High Point Intercom.
Once again it is refreshing to see the MTA continue to look into better technology that will lead to a better run system for its workers & the millions of riders who use it. While they have some catching up to do compared to other systems, it is a good sign that they don’t rest on their laurels.
I am curious as to the effectiveness of these intercoms. They look visually impressive & I hope to try one out soon. My main concern is if they will maintain its sleek design & condition. It is known that some riders don’t have any respect for equipment as anything nice looking has to be destroyed for the sake of doing it. Hopefully this intercom will not meet the normal fate of equipment.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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