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Queens Art Express

Posted by
on June 2nd, 2010 at 12:20 am

Time to catch up on some transit news by starting with information on the Queens Art Express. This past Friday, MTA NYC Transit announced it was partnering with the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA) in a campaign to promote the 7 train & the diversified neighborhoods it serves. Here is the press release they sent me:

MTA New York City Transit and the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA) have partnered in a MetroCard® Deals campaign to promote the 7 train and the culture and commerce that surrounds its 7-mile span through the most diverse borough in New York: Queens. The campaign is centered on the launch of the Queens Art Express, a festival of art, music, and performances, held from June 10 to June 13.

Riders can start celebrating now with 80 MetroCard Deals that went into effect May 15 and will continue through July 15. Riders who show their MetroCard at any of the 80 participating businesses along the 7 line will receive a deal from that merchant. The MetroCard Deals vary from 10% off merchandise, to a free drink with dinner at a restaurant, to a discount at cultural venues such as Flushing Town Hall.

“This is a great opportunity for native New Yorkers and cultural visitors alike to get out and discover all the excitement that Queens has to offer while saving money with a MetroCard,” said Paul Fleuranges, Vice President of Corporate Communications at MTA NYC Transit.

See the full list of all the participating merchants by visiting www.queensartexpress.com, or by picking up a MetroCard Deals brochure available in subway stations and at participating locations. The color brochure is free of charge, includes a full schedule of events during the June 10-13 festival, and the list of 80 MetroCard Deals throughout the borough.

The 4-day Queens Art Express festival features poetry performances, artist exhibitions, dance, theater, and film screenings at venues located near the 7 line. In addition, MTA New York City Transit’s Music Under New York musicians will be performing at select 7 line subway stations.

Visit NYC Transit’s promotions page for more details at http://www.mta.info/metrocard/promos/qca/index.html

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 05-27-10

Posted by
on May 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm

I have just updated the “Service Diversions” page with the latest information for the weekend & following week (beyond in some cases). For riders going near the Broadway-Nassau & Fulton Street stations, do not forget to read this entry to see what service is affected.

I suggest you print out a copy of the diversions to carry with you or use your mobile device to access the phone friendly version of Transit Blogger. Have a safe & wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Finalizes Hudson Yards Deal

Posted by
on May 26th, 2010 at 5:17 pm

Earlier this afternoon, the MTA announced it had finalized a deal on the Hudson Yards. Here are the details courtesy of a press release they sent me:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced today that it has entered into a contract with a joint venture of Related Companies and new partner Oxford Properties Group for the development of the MTA’s Hudson Yards into a mixed-use community that will include 12 million square feet of commercial and residential development. The deal calls for the MTA to lease the site to the joint venture for 99 years, with purchase options, and will provide $1 billion for vital MTA capital projects.

“This is a tremendously exciting development project that together with the extension of the 7 line will turn this area into a vibrant residential and commercial neighborhood,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder. “We were also able to maximize value for the MTA and provide a new revenue stream to support many of our vital capital projects.” Jay Cross, President of Related Hudson Yards, said, “Related and its new partner Oxford Properties Group look forward to continuing the progress to create New York’s next great neighborhood. The West Side Yards is not only a transformative development opportunity, but represents the future growth of New York City.”

The developer will construct a deck over the portion of the yards currently used for Long Island Rail Road operations without interrupting LIRR service. The development will be a unique 26-acre sustainable mixed-use neighborhood including 12 acres of public open space, cultural amenities, a new public school and housing and commercial opportunities for all New Yorkers.
Related and Oxford are making a $21.75 million deposit in conjunction with the signing of the contract and six and twelve months from now will make additional deposits of roughly $11 million each.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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LIRR Breaks Ground On $25M Train Wash

Posted by
on May 26th, 2010 at 1:07 pm

A few days ago, the MTA Long Island Rail Road sent out a media notice to me about a ground breaking ceremony taking place in Babylon. Unfortunately, I could not attend due to prior commitments. The ceremony centered around a $25M train wash being opened in Babylon. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release:

State of the Art “Green” Facility Creates New Jobs, Enables Railroad to Scrub 180 More Cars Each Day

MTA Long Island Rail Road President Helena Williams and Babylon Mayor Ralph Scordino and other public officials broke ground today on a new $25.5 million train wash facility located in the Village of Babylon.

The project, which promises to create between 20 and 30 construction jobs, is being financed with federal stimulus funds through the Federal Transit Administration. The Babylon Train Wash Facility was selected by Governor David Paterson and the MTA a shovel-ready project that represented the best use of federal stimulus funds.

Gov. Paterson said: “This is a good example of a recovery project with short-term and long term benefits. Besides the boost from spending to build the facility now, its green design will save money and water. And keeping railroad cars clean means they will last longer, reducing replacement costs. I thank President Obama and our entire Congressional delegation for their support of these economic recovery funds that help to reinvigorate the economy, put people back to work and improve the quality of our transportation systems throughout the State.”

LIRR President Williams said: “I would like to thank Governor Paterson and the MTA for their vote of confidence in the LIRR. This new train wash will enable us to clean an additional 180 cars each day using methods – such as solar power and waste-water recycling – that will help protect the environment. We are also very grateful to Mayor Scordino and the Village of Babylon for their cooperation in the planning of this project and to the Federal Transit Administration for the funds that will make it a reality.”

Important “green” aspects of the facility will include:
• The filtering, reconditioning and reusing of more than 70% of wash water.
• Supplemental solar power energy panels will help operate the electrical lighting and heating for the train wash equipment building, saving the LIRR an estimated $6,700 a year on utility costs.
• Storm water will be collected and released through a leach field, eliminating run-off pollutants into nearby Sumpwams and Geiger Creeks.
• A separator will prevent oil and diesel fuel from entering the waste water system.
• Area wetlands will be fenced to prevent damage and illicit dumping.
• A new landscape buffer will be built between the golf course and the train wash.

Mayor Scordino said: “The Village was happy to participate in the project. Many of our residents use the train to get to and from work every day and the Railroad is an important part of our economy. We want to help ensure that our residents ride on clean and properly maintained railroad cars.”

State Senator Johnson said: “The new LIRR Train Wash Facility being reconstructed in Babylon Village is a multi-homerun for taxpayers! It will be an extremely “green” operation and is truly a superb example of how government should be designing, building and operating such facilities.”

Assemblyman Boyle said: “I am so proud that we are breaking ground on a project of this importance and magnitude in Babylon Village. With water recycling, solar energy, and oil separation technology being implemented at this new train wash facility we are helping to preserve the environment for our future.”

Suffolk Legislator Horsley said: “I would like to thank the LIRR for working diligently with Babylon Village officials to maintain the integrity of the community and address residents’ concerns. “It is great to see the LIRR caring for our village, caring for our environment, and maintaining the condition of our railroad.”

The Babylon Branch of the LIRR is the busiest of the LIRR’s 11 branches. The new Train Wash Facility will be located east of the Babylon LIRR Station, situated between the Babylon Village golf course and the LIRR tracks leading to the Babylon Train Yard.

When it becomes the operational in 2012, the LIRR will be able to clean the exteriors of an additional 180 cars every day. The Railroad currently has one operating train wash at the entrance to its Ronkonkoma Train Yard.

The new Babylon Train Wash Facility will consist of two buildings: A masonry equipment building (21′ x 180′) will house the control, wash room, pumps, reclaim/recycle wash water, waste water treatment system and storage tanks for the train wash. The second structure will be the train wash bay, a steel/corrugated siding structure (26′ x 282′) consisting of pre-cast track slab sections, concrete foundations, wash water collection system and the train wash equipment.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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1

Federal Aid Could Starve Off Transit Cuts

Posted by
on May 26th, 2010 at 2:35 am

The majority of service cuts approved by the MTA to deal with a huge budget deficit are looming. While some cuts such as those on the LIRR have already gone into effect, legislation unveiled yesterday in Washington D.C. could help starve off cuts. Let us first take a look at the report from Washington D.C. Streetsblog Reporter Elana Schor:

Transit agencies forced to raise fares or cut service to close budget gaps would be eligible for $2 billion in emergency operating funds under legislation unveiled today by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and seven other Democratic senators, including two members of the party’s leadership.

harry_reid_christopher_dodd_max_baucus_charles_schumer_richard_durbin_2009_8_4_16_40_23.jpgSens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), left, Charles Schumer (D-NY), right, and Dick Durbin (D-IL), second from right, with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). (Photo: AP)

The transit operating bill would authorize $2 billion in federal grants aimed at helping local transit agencies reverse already-imposed service cuts, fare increases, or worker layoffs — provided that those changes were forced by a shortfall in state or local transport budgets that took effect after January 1, 2009. Any agency planning future service cuts or fare hikes could use their grant money to stave off those moves until September 2011.

Click here for the complete report.

Now let us take a look at a press release about the legislation from New York Senator Sen. Charles Schumer’s office:

United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand introduced today an emergency transit bill that would restore major reductions in public transit services and stave off future fare hikes imposed on commuters throughout the New York City subway system, Long Island Railroad, and Metro North Railroad. Under existing transit formulas, the NYC-NJ-CT urbanized area would be in line to receive roughly $345 million.

“Mass transit is the very lifeblood of the New York and our ability to rebuild the economy and get people back to work is linked to a fully funded and affordable system,” said Schumer. “In a time of crisis, when funding for mass transit has collapsed and caused severe service cuts, layoffs and looming fare hikes, it is essential that we take strong action to ensure the middle class can afford to use public transit. ”

“Commuters in New York are outraged by the fare hikes and service cuts that are being considered right now,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This emergency funding is badly needed to maintain strong and affordable transit systems that get workers to work, students to school, and keep our economy moving.”

MTA service cuts have begun to be phased in over the last several weeks and additional cuts are expected to continue into June. Last week, the Long Island Railroad eliminated service to its Belmont Station and reduced the number of trains that arrive on the eight trains on the Babylon, Long Beach, Port Jefferson, and Port Washington branches. Budget woes will force the elimination of the M Train and dozens of service cuts and bus line eliminations throughout the five boroughs. The MTA is currently facing a deficit of $400 million. State funding for the mass transit system was reduced in 2010 by $143 million.

The Public Transportation Preservation Act would provide $2 billion in emergency assistance for operating expenses necessary to restore a major reduction in public transportation service and to hold off future fare increases due to decreased state or local funding that occurred on or after January 1, 2009. Funding would be distributed through existing formulas. It is expected that the NYC-NJ-CT urbanized area would receive $345.25 million. The Act will help transit agencies avoid or minimize future service reduction and fare increases that are being contemplated through the end of FY 2011.

New Jersey State Senator Frank Lautenberg’s office issued their own press release to highlight the $125M New Jersey Transit would receive if this legislation becomes law:

Today U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) to introduce a bill that would authorize emergency funding for transit agencies to help reverse fare increases and service cuts.

“This measure would provide critical relief to New Jersey’s commuters and transit riders across the country when they need it most. Investing in transit will help stem fare hikes and improve service so that working class families can get to work on time and without breaking the bank,” Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee said.

“Cutbacks at NJ Transit has made transit service for New Jerseyans more expensive and less accessible. This is a moment in which we should be investing in our public transportation, not undermining it. Emphasizing mass transit helps rebuild our economy through lower commuting costs, new jobs and cleaner air.” Senator Menendez, who is chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee with jurisdiction over mass transit said.

“While families continue to struggle to make ends meet the last thing we should do is make it harder and more expensive for people to get to work. This bill will prevent disruptive service cuts and help put money back in the pockets of families when they need it most,” Chairman Dodd said.

State and local governments have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy and public transportation systems nationwide are experiencing major budget cuts as a result. The American Public Transportation Association reports that since January 1, 2009, 84 percent of public transit systems have either raised fares, cut service or are considering those options.

This bill will authorize $2 billion for transit agencies nationwide to help close funding gaps in operating costs. Transit agencies would be able to use these funds to reduce fare increases and restore services that were cut after January 2009 or to prevent future service cuts or fare increases through September 2011. Agencies that have not increased rates or cut services and do not plan to do so may use the funds for infrastructure improvements. NJ Transit would receive an estimated $125 million under this bill.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

At first glance this seems like great news as it could starve off cuts approved by the MTA not too long ago. However in reality, is this piece of legislation as good as it might seem? My answer is no, let me explain.

I am not a fan of only focusing on the present when the future is equally as important. Another way of looking at it is, I do not believe in band-aid or patchwork fixes to long term problems or wounds. While disaster is avoided in the short term, what about the future? By looking at this potential funding as a success, it should really be looked at as a glaring example of what is wrong & what needs to be fixed.

The MTA & transit agencies around the country need to have adequate funding coming from their city & state governments. They can’t count on the federal government to rescue them every time a financial crisis is set to cripple them. The last thing we need is the federal government taking the much deserved unflattering spotlight away from our city & state officials who continue to financially screw the MTA & its riders.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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