Commuters who rely on the A train service in Far Rockaway are heading into a tough phase as the MTA begins a four-month shutdown starting Friday, Jan. 17. This major service disruption is expected to impact roughly 9,000 daily riders who traverse the Rockaways, as the MTA embarks on upgrades to mend enduring damage from Superstorm Sandy. During this period, A trains will not run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 Street stations, as Gothamist reported.
First announced in November, these upgrades are not just a response to the past, but a preparation for future storms that may bear down on the vulnerable transit line. The Rockaway Park Shuttle will also see suspensions in service between Broad Channel and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 Street, starting with a full weekend shutdown at the beginning of construction. According to a press release by the MTA, acquired by Gothamist, the viaducts and bridges across Broad Channel are due for "major upgrades."
The MTA understands the interruption this will cause in daily travel and is setting up mitigation strategies. Free shuttle buses will be introduced to fill the gaps; the Q97 route will create non-stop connections between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue, while the Q109 will take passengers from Howard Beach-JFK Airport to Beach 67 Street, with stops at Broad Channel and Beach 90 Street. Additionally, the Long Island Rail Road offers a helpful concession with reduced Far Rockaway Tickets down to $2.75, as mentioned on the Gothamist website.
One can't ignore the fact that the prolonged disruption stirs consternation amongst the A train's regular users. Jonathan Cox, an A train commuter, expressed to ABC7 New York his concerns, asking, "How is this going to work, coming home, picking up my son?" Other commuters acknowledge the challenges but recognize the necessity of the repairs for future reliability. Nick Corley, shared in his interview with ABC7 New York: "Dealing with train tracks and stuff like that, you know, is important." Despite the acknowledgement of long-term benefits, the immediate inconvenience will inevitably test the patience of A train riders who have seen their lifeline to the city undergo numerous challenges over the years.
As an informative note to the affected ridership, additional details and updates on the service changes can be found by visiting the MTA’s website directly.
