New York City Transit today announced Thanksgiving extended weekend service changes on the Rockaway Park Shuttle and Rockaway Park end of the line to accommodate critical switch replacement.
NYC Transit is taking advantage of traditionally low ridership the day after Thanksgiving to get maximum access to the tracks, and prevent potential service outages. The Rockaway Park train yard is a key location for train rush hour service, and ensuring that switches are in good condition is vital to not just Rockaway customers, but to all train customers.
“The train is indispensable to our Rockaways customers, and to beachgoers when the weather is warm,” said Sarah Feinberg, Interim President of NYC Transit. “Maintaining reliable service on and off the peninsula is a high priority for us. Our team has diligently communicated with the community on this work and did a great job ensuring customers had alternative travel options.”
Beginning at 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27 until Sunday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m., shuttle buses will replace Shuttle and rush hour train service at four stations -- Beach 90 St, Beach 98 St, Beach 105 St and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St -- to accommodate critical switch replacement. There is no expected impact to the Monday morning rush hour.
Shuttle service normally serves these stations at all times; trains normally serve these stations only during weekday rush hours, from Rockaway Park in the morning rush hour and to Rockaway Park in the evening rush hour.
trains will continue to operate normally between Far Rockaway-Mott Av and Inwood-207 St, as well as between Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd and Inwood-207 St.
Customers wishing to travel to affected stations will be provided with free shuttle bus service between Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St and Beach 67 St, where a transfer to Far Rockaway A Subway trains will be available. Customers can also use the Q35 bus to connect to and train service at Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College.
Additional switch work on the Rockaway Park branch is scheduled for other days in November and December.
Weekday work between rush hours will take place Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 23-25, and Tuesdays through Fridays, Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 8-11. The work is expected to last from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On the weekends of Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13 work is expected to begin at 6 a.m. Saturdays and end by 10 p.m. on Sundays. Free shuttle bus service connecting Rockaway Park and Beach 67 St, stopping at all intermediate stops, will replace S Subway Shuttle service.
NYC Transit officials have done significant community outreach, notifying elected officials and community leaders of the holiday service change while also playing announcements at stations.
Channels for Service Updates
Information about the planned schedule change noted in this press release, and all planned service changes, is available through the MTA’s many real-time service information sources.
MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place, with push notifications when service is not operating normally.
new.MTA.info –The “Service Status” box at new.MTA.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each line, updated every minute.
Live Subway Map – The MTA launched a public beta of its groundbreaking Live Subway Map on Oct. 20. In its first iteration the Live Subway Map has the ability to automatically update show service changes in real-time, highlight accessible stations, and much more.
Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive the alerts by visiting MyMTAAlerts.com. To avoid unwanted messages, a user can tailor the messages to the specific branch, and the specific times of day.
Twitter – Twitter users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR and @MetroNorth to receive updates of a similar nature to the email and text alerts, shortened to fit Twitter’s format.
WhatsApp - NYC Transit recently started using WhatsApp to expand the number of customer service channels available to riders and is especially helpful for non-native English speakers. By using Google Translate, personnel from NYC Transit's Digital Communications Unit are able to help customers with service changes or other matters in real-time in 108 languages.
These communication channels can be accessed while at home or on the go. For customers who are located at stations, the MTA will post the latest service updates on digital signs at station platforms and will make audio announcements over public address systems, and on-board announcements made by train crews.
For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511, the New York State Travel Information Line. For customers calling from Connecticut, the number is: 877-690-5114. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.