(WNY News Now) Governor Kathy Hochul stated that Rockaway residents will benefit from enhanced transit alternatives and significant savings as part of a $400 million overhaul of the A and S train lines.
In order to assist transit users in the Rockaways during the crucial resilience and repair work being done on the A S lines this winter, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a comprehensive alternative service plan. Free shuttle buses, substantial fee reductions at the Long Island Rail Road’s Far Rockaway Station, and a free shuttle train that runs to all stations on the peninsula between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park are just a few of the service options available to passengers at this time. For $2.75 each way, residents of Rockaway can take the LIRR from Far Rockaway. Tickets for the return trip are available at the Far Rockaway station.
Governor Hochul stated, “We are aware of the burden it will have on residents’ commutes, even though these construction plans and changes will give our New Yorkers a faster and more dependable transportation experience in and out of the Rockaways.” As we implement the resiliency plan, this service plan helps us make sure that we can provide equitable and dependable transportation options while also taking care of our residents and improving their transit experience.
The Hammels Wye Viaduct, an elevated structure that enables an A train service to divide between eastbound to Far Rockaway and westbound to Rockaway Park, will undergo a thorough reconstruction by the MTA. The South Channel Bridge will also undergo important repairs as part of the project. As part of a $393 million investment to guarantee dependable service on the Rockaway Line for the next 50 years, Hammels Wye and the South Channel Bridge connect the Rockaway Peninsula with the rest of Queens.
“This plan is the quickest and most effective way to make the A train more dependable and resilient for Rockaway riders,” stated MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. As they did for G train passengers during the summer, I have no doubt that the NYC Transit staff will provide quick and frequent alternate service while construction is occurring.
On Thursday, November 14, a town hall meeting will be held at the Rockaway YMCA in Arverne, Queens, to inform the public on the comprehensive service replacement plan. For the past 20 months, the MTA has been running a comprehensive public outreach program, which has so far included 12 meetings with neighborhood boards and other interested parties.
Alternatives to Rockaway Peninsula Services
To allow for crucial resilience and repair work on the bridge and viaduct spanning the Broad Channel for around four months, from January 17 to May 2025 There won’t be any trains between Rockaway Park Beach 116 St., Howard Beach JFK Airport, and Far Rockaway Mott Avenue. Furthermore, there will be no shuttle trains from S Rockaway Park to or from Broad Channel.
Hugo Zamora has been named the lead of the A train service modifications after successfully overseeing customer communications and service during a six-week service change on the G train during the summer. In order to meet client demand, Zamora will keep an eye on the shuttle bus deployment and make real-time service changes. Additionally, he will be in charge of informing clients about service modifications, which will include assigning customer support representatives to locations that require them and making sure that areas that are impacted have conspicuous signage.
There will be two routes with free shuttle bus service for passengers during this time. The Q97 will travel the Nassau Expressway between Howard Beach and Far Rockaway. The Q109 will travel along Broad Channel and Beach 90 St. from Howard Beach to Beach 67 St.
For travels at Far Rockaway Station on the Far Rockaway Branch, LIRR will provide considerable discounts, lowering the fare to $2.75, which is cheaper than the fare on the subway. Clients are informed that the Far Rockaway Branch offers connections to Grand Central Madison, Penn Station, and Atlantic Terminal.
For the duration of the outage, a fare-free shuttle will run between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park, serving all stations on the peninsula, beginning Monday, Jan. 20.
Customers can utilize the express bus routes QM16 and QM17 for additional direct service to Manhattan. The Rockaways are also connected to Pier 11 near Wall Street by the NYC Ferry.
Customers are informed that the Q35 connects to Brooklyn at Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn College 2 5; the Q52 and Q53 SBS offer a direct connection to the A line at Rockaway Boulevard.
“We can’t wait any longer to protect the Rockaway Line from the threats of climate change,” stated Jamie Torres-Springer, president of MTA Construction & Development. The Rockaways will have safe, dependable transportation for many years to come thanks to this project, and MTA C&D will provide it more effectively, more quickly, and more affordably.
“Free shuttle buses and discounts on the Long Island Railroad Far Rockaway Branch are a good start to relieving the burden for Rockaway public transit riders while this much needed resiliency project takes place,” stated Senator James Sanders Jr. of New York State.
“I thank the MTA for their good-faith efforts to consider the plight of Rockaway commuters bracing for a life-changing 17-week A-train service outage,” Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson stated. The MTA has clearly responded to local elected officials’ urgent calls to emphasize transit equity by extending free shuttle bus access throughout the Rockaway Peninsula and honoring a reduced LIRR price. There is much more we can do to help commuters in transportation deserts, so we keep having fruitful conversations. For the benefit of Rockaway commuters, I continue to advocate for transportation equity in order to make sure that these repairs and the anticipated outage have long-term positive effects on the community.
“I want to thank Governor Hochul and the MTA for listening to the voices of the Rockaway Peninsula,” said Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato. The Rockaways’ residents may continue to move about without any disruptions thanks to the LIRR’s $2.75 ticket to Penn Station/Grand Central and the free subway service that runs across the Peninsula from Beach 116 Street to Mott Avenue! During the A train’s construction, our diligent efforts created a dependable alternate mode of public transportation, and I’m looking forward to other ways to support our community so that we can keep moving throughout the city.
“I applaud the MTA’s plan to offer free Rockaway subway shuttle service across the Peninsula during the 17-week outage and $2.75 one-way trips from the Far Rockaway LIRR Station,” stated Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Majority Whip of the New York City Council. Residents of Rockaway live in a transit desert, so we need to make sure that subway service is improved and restored as soon as feasible. I’m excited to continue advocating for more transportation infrastructure improvements for the Rockaway Peninsula with my local government allies and community stakeholders.
Donovan Richards Jr., the president of Queens Borough, stated that the government must act to protect Rockaway families during this time, even though the impending A train shutdown is required as we strengthen our vital infrastructure against the threats posed by climate change. I applaud the MTA and Governor Hochul for doing just that by offering free shuttle service and reducing the cost of Long Island Rail Road tickets. I’m excited to collaborate with our state and local colleagues to make sure that during the impending shutdown, all Rockaway families—especially those whose children commute to school along the peninsula by public transportation—are adequately served.