NYCT Subway Service 2012 Investments Announced

New York, NY, July 19, 2012 – The draconian service cuts made 2 years ago during the apex of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) fiscal crisis may make a partial reversal while keeping the IND Queens-Brooklyn crosstown local ‘G’ train service extension in addition to some new transit operations. At that time in 2009, two subway lines and some bus services were either eliminated and others re-routed. Commuter trains were pared or combined to save money.

According to published reports, of the $90 million extra dollars stated in the MTA's most recent finance report (than were projected in the February budget), $20 million of that could go to fund the restored service. The news for straphangers isn’t all good as a 7.5% fare increase is expected to pay for it in March, 2013. The MTA’s adding and extending service on almost 40 bus, subway and commuter rail lines to better serve its customers, enhance access to mass transit, accommodate ridership growth and attract new transit customers. These investments come at a time when MTA ridership is steadily increasing across all forms of mass transit: subway ridership is at levels not seen since the 1950s; commuter train ridership is approaching all-time records and; bus service is at a premium for riders.

The G train story is of particular interest because the line was extended due to the Culver Viaduct repair work at the Smith-9th Street elevated stop over the deep-bottomed Gowanus Canal. Built in the 1930s, it was the only IND (New York City-built INDependent line) service constructed as an elevated. Due to wear and tear over the decades, the structure needed rebuilding which included a complete gutting and overhaul of that station. With the advent of the Culver Viaduct restoration work in 2009, the line was extended 5 stops to its current Church Avenue terminus with intermediate stops at Fourth Avenue-Ninth Street, Seventh Avenue, 15th Street-Prospect Park and Fort Hamilton Parkway.



EDITORS: The full-length article is available upon request to: jmcalisi@verizon.net

  

GCT's "Whispering Gallery" Gets A Renovation

Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan, July, 2012 - One of the seven secrets of Grand Central Terminal is getting a facelift of sorts. The tile work known as the famous "whispering gallery" in front of the Oyster Bar restaurant on the Lower Level of GCT is being repaired. Historians needn't worry because the only change to occur is a simple - replace weakened mortar and reset the tiles resulting in a lot cleaner and brighter entire space. 

Metro-North currently is the sole rail user of the almost century-old structure and will be joined by Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) when East Side Access is completed. Amtrak has used the structure in the past as they moved their operations to New York's Penn Station in the early 1990s, vacated with some rare emergency uses - the last of which saw the return of the NY Central observation car 'Hickory Creek' (of the famous 20th Century Ltd passenger train) to GCT for the first time in 40 years.

Union Pacific Railroad Commemorates Their 150th Anniversary At The 'Big Board' By Ringing The Closing Bell

Lower Manhattan, July 2, 2012 - In celebration of the company’s proud past and bright future, employees of Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific Railroad, North America ’s largest freight railroad by revenue, UP visited the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to commemorate their 150th anniversary. President Lincoln signed investment legislation on July 1, 1862 for the railroad that ultimately connected our nation's east and west coasts. Where would our nation be without railroads? Not as prominently poised in the world over the years since then is the answer. The food we eat, materials and goods we use all get transported by rail - they literally haul the freight.

Attached are my photos from the NYSE floor and the exterior of New York Stock Exchange that was adorned with Union Pacific Railroad's 150th anniversary banner and flag. Union Pacific Railroad Chief Executive Officer Jack Koraleski rang the NYSE Closing Bell and made congratulatory handshakes with 11 Union Pacific employees from various locations across the country.

Congratulations UP!!!

Brooklyn Nets Debut Starting Backcourt At Brooklyn Boro Hall

Friday, July 13, Brooklyn, NY - A public unveiling celebration at Brooklyn's Borough Hall Plaza was held to show to the world the NBA Brooklyn Nets new backcourt of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. This had all the pomp and circumstance of a classic pep rally, an event not normally experienced by New York City residents.

If you didn't come to the celebration labeled 'The EXPERIENCE', you'll have to see them at the Brooklyn Nets/Barclays Center on Alantic Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn (where Branch Rickey wanted to build the next Ebbets Field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s).

The list of participants in the publicity parade were Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Avery Johnson, Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark, Brooklyn Nets Public Address Announcer David Diamante, and the Brooklynettes, the Brooklyn Nets dance team.

As always, Brooklyn's greatest advocate Beep Marty Markowitz extolled with his usual jab at the cross-town rivals with,“I’m thrilled that here in Brooklyn—aka Kings County —we’ve got the Kings of the NBA: All-Stars Deron Williams and Joe Johnson and with Brooklyn ’s backcourt leading the way, those Manhattan Knicks don’t stand a chance!” In the past he said the Nets were going to mop the floor with the Manhattanites but that remains to be seen.

You guessed it, the Nets interactive mobile unit and ticket sales were on hand to help sell the team to the public. In the end, it's always about money and a dream. By the way, take mass transit (the NYC subway or LIRR) to the games because parking will be a problem if you drive there.

MTA's 'Fastrack' Track Blitz Repairs Program Moves To 7th Avenue IRT

New York City, February 9, 2012 - The 'Fastrack' right of way overhaul program that was hugely successful on New York City Transit's IRT Lexington Avenue line (4, 5 and 6) a month ago, is moving on to the 7th Avenue IRT (1, 2 and 3). The program means that a portion of the system undergoes a complete closure so a variety of tasks that normally need to be shoe-horned between moving subway trains, allowing for safe, seamless non-stop repairs to be completed more quickly than ever before for a week between Monday night at 10 p.m. through Friday morning at 5 a.m. By providing a more productive and safe work environment, Transit employees avoid the seemingly constant interruptions of repeatedly having to “clear up” for trains to pass. About 10 to 15% of subway riders during those hours are expected to be affected.

The affected stations next week are on the 7th Avenue IRT span from 34th Street-Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Subway riders are being asked to switch to other lines at major stations such as Times Square and 59th Street-Columbus Circle. Bus service will supplement the adjoining subway service along the 7th Avenue line.

During January's Fastrack launch on the Lexington Avenue line, 300 tasks including repairing platforms, stairways, painting, light installations in addition to signal and switch inspections.

The next to get the Fastrack treatment will be the Sixth Avenue IND (Independent B, D and F lines) from February 27 to March 2.

Lower Manhattan Traffic Report: Traffic Jam Due To Giant's Super Bowl Ticker Tape Parade

New York City, February 7, 2012 - A huge morning-long traffic jam occurred as a one-time event - the N.Y. Giant's Super Bowl ticker tape (an estimated 40 tons) parade up the 'Canyon Of Heroes' on Broadway in Lower Manhattan today - and what a parade it was! The victors proudly waved their 4th Lombardi Trophy in the air that made the crowd cheer! The weather was beautiful picture postcard day but was overshadowed by the extravaganza starring our Sunday afternoon heroes, who were the real stars.

You're saying, ok, this is a transportation blog - so where's the transportation angle? Alright - here goes: aside from the traffic jam, City Comptroller John Liu rode on his own private float - a 1952 Chrysler 300.

New York City's subway system service was altered as extra trains were added and train stops temporarily closed as 11 am approached - when the parade began. All divisions in Lower Manhattan were affected as fans made the subway cars that are normally packed to the gills, were jammed cheek to jowl far above normal levels. I've never seen so many school children on parent sponsored field trips - lots of hookey was played today. Subway details:
Beginning at 10 AM to prevent overcrowding conditions, trains did NOT stop at these five stations:
Wall St, 4 or 5;
City Hall, R;
Chambers St, A or C;
World Trade Center, E;
and Fulton St, 4, 5, A or C.

These five stations were the best way to get to the parade route:
1 service to South Ferry or Rector Street;
2 or 3 service to Wall St or Fulton St;
4, 5 or 6 service to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall;
J service to Chambers St;
R service to Rector St.

The MTA's commuter lines, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road, will be adding extra trains to handle the added capacity.

Over a million fans of all ages and sizes attended the gala event that was a wonderful event that was culminated with the Giants getting the keys to New York City from Mayor Bloomberg.

Congrats to the comeback kids as they rebounded from a 7-7 regular season record to go on a winning streak that earned them the Super Bowl trophy. Coach Coughlin is worth is weight in gold as he kept the team on message and was definitely exhibiting leadership as he definitely kept communicating with his charges in a positive manner - I wouldn't mind working for a guy like that!

LIRR To Upgrade HQ Built In 1913

Jamaica, NY, January 30, 2012 - The new MTA Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota met with Long Island Rail Road officials and received a guided tour and update of the various facilities in Queens including East Side Access, train operations, customer communications and security.

The exterior of the almost century old headquarters built in 1913 is scheduled for repair work and the 3rd floor is being turned into a 'situation room' to help handle emergencies. The structure was originally built as part of the great grade separation project of a century ago that took all LIRR trains off street level and onto viaducts within New York City.