Now we fast forward to this month where yet another story has come out about the MTA frustrating residents of one Queens neighborhood. This time the frustrating is coming from residents of Hunters Point who are tired of the noises coming from idle diesel trains in the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) rail yard. Brendan Brosh of the New York Daily News has more in this report:

Residents who live near a Hunters Point rail yard are steamed about noisy, pollution-spewing diesel trains idling for more than seven hours a day.

The Daily News observed several Long Island Rail Road diesel engines idling for hours Wednesday at the yard near Vernon Blvd. and Borden Ave.

One engine was on for 9 hours and 25 minutes, arriving at the yard about 8 a.m. and departing at 5:31 p.m.

“It’s ridiculous that these engines are running all day,” said Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley, who has been leading the fight against idling trains.

“It went unnoticed for years because no one was living there,” Conley said of the once-industrial area that is now home to new residential towers.

Neighbors said the only peaceful time near the railyard is on the weekends, when the engines aren’t being operated.

“I can hear them humming four blocks away,” said Mark Christie, a Manhattan office manager who lives nearby. “Sometimes you can hear it as early as 4 a.m.

“It’s a deep hum, a vibration. It’s like a baritone.”

Two other trains observed by The News idled for about 7-1/2 hours. Six engines idled between 1 hour and 24 minutes and 1 hour and 46 minutes.

LIRR officials said the solution isn’t as simple as turning the diesel engines off.

“It takes up to an hour for a full shutdown of a diesel engine,” agency spokesman Salvatore Arena said.

Click here for the complete report.

These residents are a prime example of people who need to find a hobby. They have absolutely no leg to stand on in their complaint. The rail yard has been successfully operating for decades & residents who moved near it should have known what might come from doing so. If it was really a concern, they would have chosen another place to live. I am sick of people feeling they are entitled to live a certain way even though a clear precedent was in place.

While the circumstances are not the same, this does remind me of someone I used to know. She was obsessed with moving from Long Island to Williamsburg. As you would expect, she wanted to be part of the “scene” there. So she found a roommate & rented an apartment on the south side of Williamsburg closer to the , , & . So it was a bit of a hike to the north side of the neighborhood by the Bedford Ave stop on the which is considered the prime spot.

She used to complain about a number of things involving the apartment, mainly the walk. I used to tell her to shut up & deal with. Who told you not to research these details in advance? In the end people like her & the residents complaining remind me of the idiots who move near an airport & complain about the noise from flights overhead. Seriously these obnoxious pricks need to get over themselves.

xoxo Transit Blogger

xoxo Transit Blogger

Beginning Sunday, July 5 and lasting approximately four years, G Line subway service in Brooklyn will be extended to Church Avenue, providing service to the Windsor Terrace and Kensington neighborhoods. The extension is due to the extensive reconstruction of the Culver Viaduct and, while designed to accommodate this major structure rehabilitation, the extension will provide additional service south of Smith-9th Streets, save travel time for many customers and provide additional transfer options.

This change is necessary because rehabilitation of the steel and concrete structure, opened in 1933 as part of the IND system, requires the removal of two tracks from service for the duration of the project, eliminating the area at 4th Ave-9th Street used by G trains to reverse direction. The $257.5 million engineering and construction project will see the complete renovation of the structure and replacement of the signaling system and tracks.

As part of the reconstruction project, G trains will operate on the local tracks south of Smith-9th Streets to Church Avenue in Brooklyn at all times, providing service to five new stations: 4th Ave-9th Street, 7th Ave, 15th Street-Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway and Church Ave. At Church Ave, G trains will reverse direction south of the station – where there are four tracks, providing a better operating environment which will help improve reliability for both the F and G lines. Because of the shorter length of G trains, customers should stand near the center of the platform.

“Riders utilizing the line north of Church Avenue will benefit from more frequent service and increased travel and transfer options,” pointed out MTA New York City Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr.

Customers will benefit from the extension of the G with the availability of new, direct connections with the M R lines at 4th Ave-9th Street eliminating the additional transfer to the F. Additionally, Manhattan-bound riders making the connection to A and C trains at Jay Street-Borough Hall will now be able to utilize the G to make the connection at Hoyt-Schermerhorn which will make for speedier trips. As a result of the extension, it is estimated that on the typical weekday, 8,700 riders will save an average of three minutes.

I will repeat what I said in May in lieu of the upcoming extension:

I am real curious to see how much of a positive effect this extension will have on both lines. Many transit buffs have wanted to see the G or V serve Church Ave to provide the best possible service to customers. I am sure they are happy at this news which has pretty much been a foregone conclusion to some for the last couple of years.

***Note***: If you want to hear more about why the G is extended, the MTA invites you to check out their “TransitTrax” podcast. Click here to access it.

xoxo Transit Blogger

MTA New York City Transit officials announce that Bx12 Local bus service will be modified for Orchard Beach service for this summer through September 7, 2009. In order to avoid the confusion of last summer’s plan that had alternating Bx12 Select Bus Service (SBS) serving Orchard Beach and Bay Plaza/Co-Op City, all eastbound Bx12 SBS will now terminate at Bay Plaza/Co-Op City. Orchard Beach will be served by Bx12 Local buses as well as by shuttle buses that operate between Orchard Beach and the Pelham Bay Park 6 station. During weekends, customers originating in Manhattan may take the Bx12 SBS and transfer to the Bx12 Local at Pelham Bay Park 6 station to Orchard Beach.

In addition, on weekends between June 28 and September 5, the Bx12 Local bus to Orchard Beach will be extended at the other end of the route to Inwood at 207th Street in Manhattan. Eastbound service departing 207th Street and Broadway in Inwood to Orchard Beach will be available on weekends from 9:03 a.m. to approximately 8 p.m.

By operating all Bx12 SBS routes to Bay Plaza/Co-Op City, Transit expects to make the service consistent year-round and reduce travel times for all customers. Having only the Bx12 Local bus serve Orchard Beach will reduce on-street confusion and make customer boardings more efficient.

xoxo Transit Blogger

MTA New York City Transit subways will operate on a Saturday schedule on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, with additional trains in Manhattan serving customers as they leave the Annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Spectators for the fireworks may gather at seven locations along the Hudson River. The six fireworks barges will be located between 24th Street and 50th Street. There will be no fireworks display in the harbor or on the East River this year.

NYC Transit encourages people to use mass transit to travel to and from the fireworks show, and to avoid lines by purchasing MetroCards in advance. There will be more frequent subway service on the 1, C, L and the S (42nd Street Shuttle) from approximately 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The New York City Police Department and Transit personnel will be on hand at high traffic stations to direct customers after the displays end. Customers are reminded to use all subway cars and not hold doors open to prevent unnecessary congestion and delays.

Staten Island Ferry service will be suspended from approximately 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. due to harbor closure. The last boat from both terminals will leave at 7:30 p.m. The next boat will be at 10:30 p.m. from South Ferry-Whitehall and 11:30 p.m. from St. George. Staten Island Railway service is prepared to provide extra service both before and after the fireworks as needed.

xoxo Transit Blogger

Staten Island customers looking to get a head start on their Independence Day holiday weekend celebration will be able to catch earlier afternoon express train service on Thursday, July 2nd 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.

On Friday, July 3rd, SIR will run a Saturday schedule with extended 30-minute service from St. George until midnight. On Saturday, July 4th, SIR will operate a Sunday schedule. For baseball fans, there will be a special train providing service to the Ballpark Station for Staten Island Yankees home games. Games begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 4th with additional games scheduled on Sunday, July 5th at 4 p.m. and Monday, July 6th at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, July 4th, Staten Island Ferry service will be suspended from approximately 8 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. because of the harbor closure for the Macy’s Fireworks display. Staten Island Railway is prepared to add additional service both before and after the fireworks, as needed. The last boat from both terminals will leave at 7:30 p.m. The next boat from both terminals will be at approximately 10:00 p.m. SIR riders that require service to/from Manhattan during the harbor closure are advised to transfer at Grasmere Station for the S53 bus to/from Brooklyn and transfer to the R train.

Nice perk if you can get it.

Three MTA divisions will pay up to $600,000 over five years for an executive medical program providing head-to-toe physicals and sophisticated tests – free of charge.

In addition to basic medical plans, suits at NYC Transit, MTA Bus and MTA Bridges and Tunnels get more comprehensive health care for which other staffers have to pay deductibles or co-payments.

“I’m all for preventative care but you shouldn’t offer something to managers that the workers can’t get,” Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign said.

Executives at other MTA divisions, like the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and MTA headquarters aren’t as pampered. “The other agencies elected not to participate . . . since they do not offer comprehensive executive physicals to their managerial or senior executives,” a staff summary of a contract approved by the MTA board last week states.

Click here for the complete report.

I am not the least bit surprised that white collar employees at the MTA have access to better & less costly health care compared to the blue collar workers who keep the MTA running. However I am surprised that some of the white collar employees did not have the same access as their peers. Usually perks like these are spread evenly amongst those who fit the profile.

As far as fairness goes, I don’t feel it is fair for any of these executives to have better coverage. The workers who truly deserve to receive the perks some of these people did, are the bus drivers, conductors, motormen, repairmen, etc…. who keep millions moving daily. Without them, the MTA would be absolutely nothing but a easy to remember acronym.

xoxo Transit Blogger

The MTA Long Island Rail Road will provide additional early afternoon service from Penn Station for customers planning to leave work early on Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3 for the start of the Independence Day holiday. The three additional Hamptons/Montauk summer service trains that normally run on Fridays only will also operate on Thursday, July 2.

The LIRR will be operating on a regular Saturday schedule on July 4th.

Eight extra trains will depart Penn Station between 2:02 PM and 3:48 PM on July 2 & 3. The extra service will include: three trains on the Port Jefferson Branch; three on the Babylon Branch; one on the Port Washington Branch to Great Neck; one on the Far Rockaway Branch as detailed below:

Extra Train Service from Penn Station, Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3

Port Jefferson Branch to Hicksville and Huntington:

• 2:02 PM stopping at Jamaica, Carle Place, then all stops to Huntington.

• 2:22 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:

• 2:25 PM express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon.

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

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

Port Washington Branch to Great Neck:

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

Far Rockaway Branch:

• 3:48 PM stopping at Valley Stream, then all stops to Far Rockaway.

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Extra Train Service to Hamptons/Montauk on Thursday, July 2 (These trains will also operate on Friday, July 3):

• 1:56 PM from Hunterspoint Avenue arriving Montauk at 4:45 PM. (A 1:53 PM train departs Penn Station to connect with this train at Jamaica.)

• 4:06 PM from Hunterspoint Avenue “The Cannonball” arriving Montauk at 6:48 PM. Hamptons Reserve Service will be offered on Thursday, July 2, and not on Friday, July 3. (A 3:58 PM train departs Penn Station to connect with this train at Jamaica.)

• 5:09 PM from Penn Station arriving Montauk at 8:29 PM. (A 5:12 PM train departs Hunterspoint Avenue to connect with this train at Jamaica.)

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North Fork train extended on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 3:

• The 5:21 PM train from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank will be extended to operate to Greenport (arriving 6:45 PM) on July 2 & 3.

Cars will also be added to some regularly scheduled eastbound trains.

Saturday, July 4th:

On July 4th, the LIRR will operate on a regular Saturday schedule.

xoxo Transit Blogger

Earlier this spring, the Federal Transit Administration singled out the MTA Bus Company for its dramatically increased ridership from 2006 to 2007. Since that time, the MTA Bus Company has seen additional ridership gains. Deputy FTA Regional Administrator Anthony Carr was on hand to present MTA Bus Company President Joe Smith with an award at this week’s MTA Board meeting.

The MTA Bus Company was created in September 2004, consolidating the operations of seven bus companies that operated under independent franchises granted by the New York City Department of Transportation. The merging of the private companies into the MTA Bus Company began in January 2005 and was completed in February 2006, creating the tenth-largest bus company in the country.

MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger said: “While the award highlights gains during its first two years of service, it’s important to note that MTA Bus provided 20 million more rides in 2008 than its predecessors provided in 2004. It goes to show that improved service and new equipment can go a long way toward increasing customer demand.”

MTA Interim Executive Director and CEO Helena E. Williams said: “Ridership gains of nearly 20 percent in less than four years are a true testament to the successful and seamless integration of seven bus companies into an efficient and much-improved operation.”

Joseph J. Smith, Senior Vice President of the New York City Transit Department of Buses and President of the MTA Bus Company and Long Island Bus said: “I’m delighted to receive this award on behalf of all of the hard-working employees of the MTA Bus Company, who strive to provide safe and efficient service to our customers every day. Their dedication and commitment to improving service were instrumental to the ridership gains we achieved.”

MTA Bus committed to aggressively upgrading the overall service delivery of its bus operations by purchasing new buses to replace an aging fleet and adjusting schedules and routes to better match travel demand. MTA Bus now operates 45 local bus routes in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, and 35 express bus routes between Manhattan and the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. It has a fleet of 1,323 buses serving approximately 400,000 riders daily.

Lets hope they keep up the good work!

xoxo Transit Blogger

xoxo Transit Blogger