Robust Alternative Service Options Provide Reliable and Efficient Travel
Rockaway Project Represents Estimated $400 Million Investment in Rockaways Service Reliability
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Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber today joined Rockaways subway and bus customers during the morning commute to gather feedback on the success of service alternatives to the Rockaways during the Rockaway Line Rehabilitation & Resiliency Project. Beginning Jan. 17, service changes have been in effect on the line to accommodate critical structural rehabilitation work on the line between Howard Beach and Rockaway Peninsula. Chair Lieber was joined by Rockaways Service Lead Hugo Zamora to meet customers and gather feedback while riding the fare-free Q97 shuttle bus from Far Rockaway – Mott Av station to Howard Beach – JFK Airport station.
“From the jump, we knew we had to deliver great service alternatives to replace the Train during this project, and it’s gratifying that riders are taking full advantage,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This approach will allow us to finish all the resiliency and rehabilitation work as fast as possible.”
“We promised our more than 9,000 daily riders on the Rockaways that we would keep them moving during this shutdown, and our teams are delivering,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “We are focused on providing excellent shuttle service for the duration of this critical project. Last week, I had the opportunity to see our operation firsthand during the first week of the project, and our employees are doing an incredible job keeping shuttle bus service flowing and giving customers the best possible experience.”
“We’re delivering fast, reliable, and frequent alternative service for Rockaways customers during this 17-week plan,” said Rockaways Service Lead Hugo Zamora. “We’ll continue to meet customers where they are across the peninsula and ensure they know all their options to get where they need to go for the entirety of the project.”
During this 17-week outage to the Rockaways, customers have a variety of service alternatives including fare-free shuttle buses, enhanced service on QM15, QM16, and QM17 bus routes, steep discounts on fares at the Long Island Rail Road’s Far Rockaway Station, and a fare-free shuttle train extended to serve all stations on the peninsula between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park. Rockaway residents can ride the LIRR from Far Rockaway at a steep discount for $2.75 each way. Round trip tickets can be purchased at the Far Rockaway station. Customers are also reminded that NYC Ferry runs between Beach 108 St and Pier 11/Wall St.
The Rockaway Line Rehabilitation & Resiliency Project
The Rockaway Line, which carries the train and Rockaway Park Shuttle and serves as a vital link between the Rockaway Peninsula and the rest of New York City, experienced extensive damage after Superstorm Sandy. While emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm, Hammels Wye Viaduct and South Channel Bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel require extensive rehabilitation and repair work to ensure these structures withstand future extreme weather events.