0

Service Diversions 11-28

Posted by
on November 28th, 2009 at 12:45 am

Let me apologize for not posting this sooner as I like to have it up at least a day before the diversions start. However with Thanksgiving going on, things were more extremely chaotic. Anyhow, the service diversions page has been updated with the latest information for the holiday weekend, following week, & beyond in some cases. Have a safe & wonderful weekend out there.

P.S. Enjoy any & all shopping that you may do!

xoxo Transit Blogger

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
Service Diversions
0

Thanksgiving Service Schedule Information

Posted by
on November 26th, 2009 at 11:20 am

Sorry for not posting this sooner but here is the service schedule information for today courtesy of a press release sent to me by the MTA:

MTA New York City Transit and MTA Bus officials today announced service plans on subways and buses for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day holiday.

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th, New York City Transit subways will run on a Sunday schedule, with additional service provided on select lines before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At the conclusion of the parade, some express trains may run on the local tracks to absorb the crowds from the parade.

Buses operated by MTA New York City Transit and MTA Bus will also run on a Sunday schedule. In addition, bus routes along the parade route in Manhattan will either be detoured and/or severely delayed.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving though, subways will operate on a regular weekday schedule, while buses will operate on a reduced weekday schedule.

Don’t forget to check out these posts for information on the Long Island Railroad & Staten Island Railway:

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
Service Alerts
0

Cortlandt Street Station Partially Reopens

Posted by
on November 26th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Yesterday was yet another sign of the rebuild of Lower Manhattan. 8+ years after the attack on September 11th, the Cortland Street station reopened to the public, even if it was only the Queens-bound side. The MTA held a ceremony at the event which I could not attend but here are the summarized details from a press release sent to me:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today reopened the northbound side of the Cortlandt Street R/W subway station – just in time for the busy holiday shopping and travel season. The station is located next to the Century 21 department store, the Millennium Hotel, and the World Trade Center site. MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder was joined by Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senator Daniel Squadron and Council Member Alan Gerson at the re-opening ceremony.

“Today we celebrate a significant step forward in the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan,” said Walder. “The MTA has played a key role in the revival of Downtown and we’re excited to provide customers with an improved station just in time for the holidays. The opening re-establishes a key travel link for Lower Manhattan residents, commuters, shoppers and tourists.”

The re-opened station includes several improvements: wider stairways will now allow for more people to enter and exit the station with less crowding; a 150-foot long section of the newly rehabilitated northbound platform is now wider than before; and the walls have been re-tiled.

“The opening of the northbound platform signifies an important milestone towards the completion of the Fulton Street Transit Center Project,” said Dr. Michael Horodniceanu, President of MTA Capital Construction. “This is an important day for the community and we will continue this great momentum so that customers enjoy additional benefits as each element of the project is completed.”

The Cortlandt Street station, like the neighboring Cortlandt Street station on the 1 line, was badly damaged in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Following the attacks, the R/W station initially reopened on September 15, 2002, before being closed again on August 20, 2005, to accommodate excavation and construction of the Dey Street underground pedestrian concourse, a part of the Fulton Street Transit Center being built by MTA Capital Construction.

The $7.25 million project to rehabilitate and improve the northbound side of the station was funded entirely by the Federal government. The MTA expects to open the southbound platform, which is within the World Trade Center reconstruction footprint, on September 11, 2011.

The Cortlandt Street subway station is served by three subway lines at different times of day: the R train at all times except late nights (midnight to 6:30 a.m.), the W train on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. until about 10 p.m., and the N train during late nights. The station served an average of 15,000 customers per day when it was last open. It was originally opened on January 5, 1918, by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company.

Here are a few quotes about the station reopening:

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said: “Today’s reopening of the Cortlandt Street Station is proof-positive that Lower Manhattan is healing and regenerating eight years after 9/11. This greatly improved R/W station is a clear indication that the MTA, City, State and federal government have pooled their resources to revitalize our city and reconnect – both literally and figuratively – New Yorkers to their Downtown. I’m pleased to have supported this project and commend Jay Walder and the MTA for finally making it a reality.”

New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “I am proud to join the MTA today for the announcement of the opening of the Cortlandt Street station. This station will spur Lower Manhattan’s evolution into a vibrant, 24-7 mixed-use community, and is an important step in the redevelopment and revitalization of our community.”

State Senator Daniel Squadron said: “Today’s reopening of the northbound RW platform at Cortlandt Street after four years marks an important milestone in rebuilding the downtown we want and need.”

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer said: “Today’s reopening of the uptown platform of the Cortlandt Street subway station is another step toward repairing the damage inflicted by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Projects like the Dey Street passageway, which the Cortlandt Street subway station was closed to make way for, are making Lower Manhattan an even more attractive place to live and work, and will draw families and businesses in the process.”

Council Member Alan J. Gerson said: “It’s great news for all the downtown residents and workers. The reopening of the Cortlandt Street station marks a significant milestone for the recovery of Lower Manhattan. Now we need to make sure that the MTA and the Port Authority are working together to reopen the downtown station on schedule by the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.”

Elizabeth H. Berger, president of the Downtown Alliance, said: “This has been a long time coming. While there are few neighborhoods in New York City better served by public transportation than Lower Manhattan, the district has been without service at Cortlandt Street for many years. Thanks to the MTA for getting the job done.”

Honestly, I am glad to see at least part of the station being reopened. However it does not change the fact that our city & other agencies & individuals involved have severely dropped the ball when it comes to rebuilding Lower Manhattan. It is inexcusable for that area to not have been redone more by now.

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
Manhattan, Subway, System Conditions
1

LIRR To Run Extra Thanksgiving Service

Posted by
on November 25th, 2009 at 3:22 am

As usual, the Long Island Rail Road is beefing up its schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with extra service. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release sent to me by the MTA:

Thanksgiving weekend is the official start for many to the holiday busy season and the MTA Long Island Rail Road is ready with additional service to get travelers where they want to be. Additional trains will be operating on Wednesday, November 25 and on Thanksgiving Day, November 26 and off-peak fares will be in effect for the entire four-day holiday weekend. On Black Friday, November 27, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, off-peak fares will be in effect all day, including the special Family Fare discount, while a full weekday train schedule will be in effect. Under the Family Fare program, up to four children ages 5-11 can ride trains that day for the advance purchase fare of 75-cents each (one-way) when accompanied by a fare-paying parent or guardian. Weekly and monthly ticket holders just pay for the kids. Children under five ride free.

Open alcoholic beverage containers will not be allowed on LIRR trains, stations and on platforms from 8:00 PM, Wednesday, November 25 through 5:00 AM, Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), November 26. MTA Police will enforce this restriction.

Customers are reminded to purchase round trip tickets including MetroCards for connecting subway and bus service in advance in order to save time and avoid lines at LIRR ticket windows and New York City Transit MetroCard windows and TVM’s.

On Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25, there will be nine extra trains departing Penn Station between 2:09 PM and 4:01 PM for customers leaving work early for the holiday.

Three trains will operate on the Babylon Branch, three on the Port Jefferson Branch (one to Hicksville, two to Huntington), one on the Port Washington Branch to Great Neck, one on the Far Rockaway Branch and one on the Montauk Branch.

Wednesday, November 25:

The extra afternoon service from Penn Station includes:

Port Jefferson Branch to Hicksville/Huntington:

• 2:09 PM stopping at Jamaica, Carle Place, then all stops to Huntington

• 2:26 PM stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington

• 3:24 PM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville

Babylon Branch:

• 2:22 PM express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon

• 3:00 PM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon

• 3:31PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon

Port Washington Branch to Great Neck:

• 3:40 PM stopping at Woodside, Flushing, then all stops to Great Neck

Far Rockaway Branch:

• 3:48 PM express to Locust Manor, then all stops to Far Rockaway

Montauk Branch:

• 4:06 PM train from Hunterspoint Avenue to Montauk (4:01 PM train from Penn Station connects with this train at Jamaica)

=====

Thanksgiving Day, November 26:
Throughout Thanksgiving Day, a holiday schedule will be in effect. Cars will be added to select trains to accommodate holiday travelers. Extra service for those attending the Parade includes six extra westbound and ten extra eastbound trains.

Westbound:

Babylon Branch from Wantagh:

• 7:13 AM and 7:45 AM trains from Wantagh, making all stops to Lynbrook, Jamaica and Penn Station

Montauk Branch:

• 6:09 AM from Speonk, making all stops to Babylon, Jamaica and Penn Station

Ronkonkoma Branch:

• 6:29 AM and 7:10 AM trains from Ronkonkoma, making all stops to Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica and Penn Station

Port Jefferson Branch:

• 6:39 AM from Port Jefferson making all stops to Huntington, Jamaica and Penn Station

Eastbound:

Between 11:37 AM and 2:03 PM, ten extra trains will depart from Penn Station to accommodate customers returning from the parade. Three of the extra trains will operate on the Babylon Branch, four will operate on the Ronkonkoma Branch, two will operate on the Port Jefferson Branch and one will operate on the Montauk Branch to Speonk. Branch timetables dated November 9-December 13 contain regular eastbound departures from Penn Station, as well as the times of the extra trains.

=====

Friday, November 27:
Although LIRR trains will operate on a normal weekday schedule, off-peak fares will be in effect all day, making it more economical to travel to the city for holiday shopping and events

xoxo Transit Blogger

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
LIRR
0

Return Of S.I. Railway Get-A-Way Service

Posted by
on November 25th, 2009 at 3:15 am

It is that time again, the return of the Staten Island Railway’s “Get-A-Way” service. Here are the details courtesy of a press release sent to me by the MTA:

Staten Island customers looking to get a head start on their Thanksgiving celebration will be able to catch earlier afternoon express train service on Wednesday, November 25 with Staten Island Railway’s Early Departure “Get-a-Way” schedule. The “Get-a-Way” schedule means extra SIR trains will be added earlier in the afternoon beginning at 2:30 p.m. from the St. George Ferry Terminal. There will be one express train and one local train awaiting every boat until 7:50 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, SIR trains will run on a weekend schedule, while on Friday, November 27, trains will run on a regular weekday schedule.

The Get-A-Way service plan on SIR is also available on the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend, the day before the 4th of July, the Friday before Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

xoxo Transit Blogger

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
Staten Island, Staten Island Railway