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Service Diversions 10-16

Posted by
on October 16th, 2009 at 2:43 am

I updated the service diversions page with the latest information for what will be another chaotic weekend & upcoming week (beyond in some cases) on the rails. Also lets not forget about the National Grid remediation work that is affecting LIRR service on the Montauk brach. I also suggest printing out a copy of the page to use while riding the system. Have a safe & wonderful time as you enjoy the weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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1

LIRR Montauk Branch Work Reminder

Posted by
on October 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Last month, I shared a press release from the Long Island Rail Road which talked about how service would be affected on the Montauk Branch due to National Grid remediation work around the Bay Shore station. Earlier today, the agency sent out a reminder release about the work scheduled for this upcoming weekend. Here are the complete details which are almost identical with last month’s entry except for the additional travel time:

MTA Long Island Rail Road train service between Babylon and Speonk will be temporarily suspended during this weekend, October 17 and 18, as the first phase of soil remediation work is performed by National Grid in the area around and under the tracks west of the Bay Shore Station. Buses will replace trains for 48 hours during this weekend. The LIRR will renew the railroad grade crossing at North Windsor Avenue in Brightwaters, to the west, also this weekend.

Eastbound:

Customers will board buses at Babylon for stations Bay Shore through Speonk and transfer to trains at Speonk to complete their trips.

Westbound:

Customers for stations Montauk through Westhampton will board trains at their stations and transfer at Speonk for express bus service to Babylon where they will transfer to trains to complete their trips. Customers from stations Speonk through Bay Shore will board buses at their stations and transfer to trains at Babylon to complete their trips.
Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 39 minutes.

During this weekend, LIRR forces will temporarily relocate approximately 1,000 feet of each of the two main tracks along with LIRR communication cables and poles located west of the Bay Shore Station to an area about 60 feet north of their present location. When train service is restored early on October 19, trains will operate at a reduced speed through the area with anticipated minimal impact on overall travel times. The second phase of the work when the tracks, poles and cables will be restored to their original location, is expected to take place in April, 2010.

The National Grid work includes removal of soil contaminated by a former manufactured gas plant operation that had previously been located in the area. The funding for the track relocation and soil remediation work is covered by National Grid’s project. The project scope has been approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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0

Rail Inspections To Affect LIRR Service

Posted by
on October 13th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

This upcoming Saturday, early morning service on the LIRR’s Port Washington branch will be affected due to rail inspections by the Sperry Rail Car. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release sent to me by the LIRR:

The MTA Long Island Rail Road will provide bus service in place of some trains on the Port Washington Branch in the early morning of Saturday October 17, as track inspections are made by the Sperry Rail Car between 12:50 AM and 3:45 AM.

The Sperry Rail Car, a bright yellow vehicle fitted with ultrasonic and induction test equipment, is designed to detect internal rail defects not readily visible to the eye. Defects that are found will be corrected immediately by a crew of LIRR track maintenance workers. The Sperry Rail Car is used twice a year to inspect approximately 500 miles of LIRR track.

Sperry Rail Car testing will take place between Manhasset and Port Washington. Customers on two eastbound and two westbound early-morning trains will be affected. Customers should expect 15 to 30 minutes additional travel time.

Eastbound:

Customers on the 12:19 AM Penn Station train due in Port Washington at 1:05 AM and the 1:19 AM Penn Station train due in Port Washington at 2:05 AM, will board buses at Great Neck to complete their trips.

Westbound:

Customers looking to take the 1:40 AM Port Washington train due in Penn Station at 2:25 AM and the 3:40 AM Port Washington train due in Penn Station at 4:25 AM, will board buses at their stations and transfer to trains at Great Neck to complete their trips.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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1

NYCT To Put Luggage Racks On 7 Bus Routes

Posted by
on October 12th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Luggage RacksThe new luggage racks that will be on 7 NYCT bus routes serving NYC airports.

Earlier today, MTA New York City Transit launched a test pilot program to install luggage racks on seven bus routes that serve the two New York City airports. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release sent to me by the agency:

Focusing on the large number of customers who choose to take public transit to LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports, New York City Transit is beginning a pilot program to install luggage racks on some of the buses serving the airport routes. The new racks should make for a more comfortable ride for passengers carrying luggage onboard while providing more room for everyone.

The first luggage rack-equipped bus was placed in service this morning on the M60 route, which begins its run to LaGuardia Airport from Broadway and 106th Street in Manhattan. Situated across from the bus’ rear door, the unit provides a handy place to store luggage, eliminating the need to leave bags in the aisle or stash them beneath seats.

“We believe that the racks will be a great amenity, making things more comfortable for our customers and even helping our bus operators speed their trips. We are going to have our managers out monitoring these buses, asking our customers and bus operators if they are seeing an improvement,” said Joseph Smith, Senior Vice President in the Department of Buses. “If the results are positive, we will expand the installation of the racks to other buses on these routes.”

The racks (photo attached) will be installed on a total of ten buses during the pilot and those buses will be placed on the seven routes (M60, B15, Q3, Q10, Q33, Q48 and Q72) that serve the two New York City airports.

I find this to be an interesting idea & wonder why it was not thought of or implemented earlier. So many people use other forms of non-public transportation to the airport & it is mainly due to the inability or desire to travel with a lot of luggage. Lets be honest, using public transportation with a good amount of luggage is not exactly an ideal or desirable trip for a traveler.

I know many frequent travelers who if they do go to the airport by a way outside of using their own car, getting a ride, or taxi, will use privately run bus services since they provide room for luggage. This pilot program if successful could help get some of that lost revenue back to the MTA. While this won’t be a end all solution for many due to the lack of legitimate space for racks inside the buses, it sure should be able to provide a decent alternative. I hope to hear from anyone who gets to try out these racks.

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2

NYCT Completes Comprehensive Study Of The F Line

Posted by
on October 9th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Earlier today, MTA New York City Transit announced the completion of a comprehensive study of the F Train. Here are the details of the study courtesy of a press release sent to me by MTA NYC Transit:

With an eye toward improving service along the second longest line in the subway system, MTA New York City has completed an exhaustive three-month study of conditions along the entire length of the 27-mile F Line.

The study acknowledges the line’s below average performance, due in part to its length, the age of its infrastructure, and the complexity of its operation. Recognizing the need for improvement along the line, which connects the Jamaica section of Queens to Coney Island in Brooklyn, NYC Transit has made the line a priority and numerous initiatives are already underway under the leadership of F Line General Manager Dwayne Anglero.

• A dedicated manager responsible for maintenance of the car fleet has been assigned to the line and the new cars are currently being placed into service. So far, these changes have resulted in increased reliability for F Line trains.

• The line schedule is being reviewed for potential modifications.

• Strategies are in place to reduce impact of construction and maintenance.

NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr., is chairing a committee of senior managers that will analyze the line’s performance and implement strategies for improvement. A similar committee on the 4, 5 and 6 lines led to service changes and measurably improved performance.

“While we are already in the midst of several capital projects aimed at improving service for F Line riders, there are measures underway that will move our customers closer to the type of service that they pay for and that they deserve,” said Roberts.

Current capital projects include rehabilitation of the Culver Viaduct and the Jay Street station rehabilitation while improvements to the signal system are proposed for the 2010 to 2014 Capital Program. While express service in Brooklyn cannot be implemented until the completion of the viaduct project, NYC Transit is committed to studying the cost and feasibility of this service prior to the completion of the work.

The analysis was prepared at the request of State Senator Daniel Squadron.

I would love to read the study especially in terms of what was done to measure performance or lack thereof in the respective categories. I will try & see if I can get my hands on some more information in the coming days.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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