Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Starting the weekend after New Year’s and continuing almost every weekend through March, the Q train will be replaced by shuttle buses between Pacific Street and Prospect Park. No Q trains will run in either direction between Prospect Park and 57th St/7th Avenue in Manhattan.
The MTA alerted Community Board 14 of the service changes this week, which they explain is for track work and replacement that could not have been done until after the Brighton Line rehabilitation project was complete.
These are your shuttle bus weekends:
January 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30; February 11-13, 18-20, 25-27
Here’s where the buses will stop:
Prospect Park: Lincoln Rd at station entrance
7th Ave: Flatbush Av at Park Pl
Atlantic Ave-Pacific St: 4 Av at Pacific St
Shuttle bus service begins 30 minutes prior to service change.
Other options: Service for the 2, 4, A, and C trains will still be available via the Franklin Avenue Shuttle at Prospect Park. You can also walk to the 2 or the F/G, but check the MTA site to be sure there are no changes to those lines that will affect your trip.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
If you ride the Q train between midnight and 5am on weeknights, this month is going to be rough. Through December 30, the Q will be running every 30 minutes overnight on weeknights, and you will have to make that long transfer between Atlantic Ave and Pacific Street, because the train is running in two sections.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
Between 10am and 3pm weekdays this week and next, Coney Island-bound Q trains are running express between Prospect Park and Kings Highway–except on Fridays, thanks to Councilmember David Greenfield, who reminded the MTA that it’s shabbos, and the sun sets pretty early these days.
“These changes would have affected thousands of working people in my district, who cannot afford to duck out of the office 30 minutes earlier on an already early Erev Shabbos,” Councilman Greenfield told Flatbush Scoop.
For Orthodox Jews who observe the sabbath, they would need to be off of public transportation before the sun sets, which is just after 4pm today.
- Mary
Tags: David Greenfield, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
Here’s a little advance notice for anyone getting away for the holiday: The Q train won’t be running between Prospect Park and 57th St/7th Ave from 12:01am Saturday, November 26 to 5am Monday, November 28.
Enjoy free shuttle buses instead. Happy Thanksgiving.
The details:
Q service operates between Stillwell Ave and Prospect Park.
Travel Alternatives
For service between Prospect Park and Atlantic Ave, take the free shuttle bus.
• Transfer between shuttle buses and N/R trains at Atlantic Av-Pacific St.
For DeKalb Ave, take the N/R instead.
For service between Atlantic Ave-Pacific St and 57 St-7 Ave, take the N.
For service between Stillwell Av and Manhattan take the D or N.
Station Shuttle Bus Stop
Prospect Park: Lincoln Rd at station entrance
7 Av: Flatbush Av at Park Pl
Atlantic Av-Pacific St: 4 Av at Pacific St
Note: Shuttle bus service begins 30 minutes prior to service change.
Alternate travel note:
4/5 A/C service is available via the S Franklin Av Shuttle at Prospect Park.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Friday, November 18th, 2011
The MTA once again says Manhattan-bound Q trains are scheduled to run express between Kings Highway and Prospect Park this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 6pm. But take that with a grain of salt–a couple of people reported that trains were in fact making local stops last weekend.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Photo from Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
Less than a week after a shocking incident of arson and anti-Semitic graffiti on Ocean Parkway, a sign at the newly renovated Avenue J subway station was found vandalized yesterday, spray painted to read “Avenue Jew.” A resident took the above photo and sent it to Assemblyman Dov Hikind. The graffiti has been painted over as of this morning.
No arrests have been made in last week’s incident, and police are investigating this case as well. The reward offered for information leading to an arrest in the Ocean Parkway crime is now over $56,000. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477).
- Mary
Tags: Anti-Semitism, Avenue J, Brighton Line, graffiti, MTA
Posted in Crime |
Monday, November 7th, 2011
The landmarked Avenue H station house has finally reopened. It’s not completely finished–a worker told me today that they still have some minor things to do, including hanging shingles on one side, all of which he estimated would take another couple weeks to complete–but it is open, and the agent booth is manned.
The installation of bronze rocking chairs outside the station as part of Arts for Transit will happen in the spring. But the tree trunk columns on the front porch and the beautiful wood ceiling inside are enough of a reason to stop by and check it out now.
Granite Construction did a really terrific job–compare the renovated building to the original, and you can see that though they’re slightly different, the spirit is definitely there.
The entrance on the opposite, southbound side of the tracks is currently closed while the booth is dismantled. It was put in as a temporary structure, and once it’s removed, access will be available to the platform via the wheelchair ramp that is already in place. Construction is expected to be complete on that side by December 31.
- Mary
Tags: Avenue H, Brighton Line, construction, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
Friday, October 28th, 2011
Here’s a quick change: Manhattan-bound Q trains will skip Avenue J starting at 10pm tonight through 6pm Saturday. If you need to, you can skip ahead to Avenue H or M and transfer to the platform in the opposite direction to get to Avenue J.
Not sure if it’s related to a truck ramming through the underpass yesterday, but at least it’s only one day.
- Mary
Tags: Avenue J, Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
Ghost Train by Andy Novick.
Beginning this morning and ending at 6pm tomorrow, Sunday, October 23, Coney Island-bound Q trains are running express from Prospect Park to Kings Highway.
Trains stop at Church Av and Newkirk Plaza.
For service to Parkside Av, Beverley, Cortelyou Rds, Avenues H, J and M, take the Q to Church Av, Newkirk Plaza or Kings Hwy and transfer to a Times Square-bound Q.
For service from these stations, take the Q to Newkirk Plaza, Church Av or Prospect Park and transfer to a Coney Island-bound Q.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Late nights this week, expect long waits (and a transfer) on the Q train:
Q trains run every 30 minutes between Atlantic Ave and Stillwell Ave
Nights, 12:15am to 5am, Tue to Fri, Oct 11 – 14
Service operates in two sections:
1. Between 57 St-7 Ave and the Atlantic Av-Pacific St D/N Station
2. Between Atlantic Ave and Stillwell Ave
To continue your trip, walk through the passageway between Atlantic Ave-Pacific St and Atlantic Ave.
Then starting at 12:01am Saturday, October 15 an continuing through 5am Monday, October 17, Q trains will not run between Prospect Park and 57th St-7th Ave:
For service between Prospect Park and Atlantic Ave, there will be shuttle buses. Here are the bus stops:
Prospect Park: Lincoln Rd at station entrance
7 Ave: Flatbush Av at Park Pl
Atlantic Av-Pacific St: 4 Av at Pacific St
If all these changes kind of make you want to jump in front of a moving train, but once you get down on the tracks you realize it’s not worth it, there are things you can do. Read on to find out from a conductor what you should do next…
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Friday, September 30th, 2011
The MTA announced it will sell or lease several properties around the city to make up for a a $9 billion shortfall over the next three years. One of those properties is 851 Avenue I, which has got to be one of the coolest buildings in the area–largely because it’s so mysterious.
First of all, it’s not even on Avenue I, but on East 15th Street, just before the pedestrian overpass that crosses the LIRR freight tracks. Whether you look at it from there or from the subway platform at Avenue H, you can tell it’s a complete wreck. Most of the top row of windows are busted, portions of the facade are crumbling, and I don’t even want to imagine what lives inside. I’m not sure what the MTA used this for, but it seems like only the front yard has been used recently, and just for storage.
Some have called the location “undesirable,” and it’s true that as recently as March a man was murdered on the street nearby. However, with its proximity to the Q train at Avenue H, and its large size, it seems to have such great potential. I don’t know what the zoning would allow, but how about a theater, some kind of performance space? That could double as a community center? I just hope they don’t simply raze it in favor of new, boring construction.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation, on behalf of the MTA, will issue requests for proposals for the property. Come on, creative developers, this could be amazing.
- Mary
Tags: for sale, MTA
Posted in Real Estate |
Monday, September 12th, 2011
As of this morning, every station along the Brighton Line is in operation! For two years, access to both directions of the Q train at the Avenue H and Avenue M stations has been limited to just one side, but those stations are completely open once again.
The B line is still running on the local track, however, and is expected to be back to express on October 3. When running express, following 7th Avenue, the B stops at Prospect Park, Church Ave, Newkirk Plaza, Kings Highway, Sheepshead Bay, and Brighton Beach.
The Avenue M station still seems to have quite a bit of work left before it’s all done. Though you can see the new tiles have been installed up the staircase to the Manhattan-bound platform, there is still a lot of finishing to be done throughout the station. The Avenue H station house is still under construction, and a worker told me he expects they’ll be finished soon–hope to hear a more definite answer at tonight’s Community Board 14 meeting.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, construction, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
Thursday, September 8th, 2011
Reminder: Trains will not be running between Prospect Park and Stillwell Avenue from 8pm Friday, September 9 through 5am Monday, September 12. Here are the alternatives for this weekend, from the MTA:
* B68 and free shuttle buses provide express and local service between Prospect Park and Stillwell Av.
* Express shuttle buses run between Brighton Beach and Prospect Park, stopping at Sheepshead Bay, Neck Rd, Avenue U, Kings Hwy, the Flatbush Av 2 Station and Prospect Park.
* Local shuttle buses run between Prospect Park and Kings Hwy, making all Q station stops.
* B68 bus service is available between Brighton Beach and Stillwell Av (additional service will be provided overnight).
We haven’t gotten an update yet about the exact date service will return to normal–with the B running express, and all stations open–but we’re getting closer. I’m waiting to hear back from the MTA, and will keep you posted.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Thursday, August 25th, 2011
We’ll have the subway back to normal around here soon, but we won’t be able to enjoy it much.
We already told you about the subway changes for the weekend of September 9-12, when the Q will terminate at the Prospect Park station so they can finish work on the line rehabilitation. Following that, two more weekends will be a shuttle bus fest if you’re heading toward Manhattan:
Weekends of September 23-25 and October 14-16
From Friday beginning at 10:00 PM to Monday ending at 5:00 AM, for these two weekends B & Q service will be suspended between Pacific Street and Prospect Park, due to continuing construction work at Atlantic Yards. Shuttle bus service will be provided at Pacific Street, 7th Avenue, and Prospect Park B & Q stations.
- Mary
Tags: MTA, service changes
Posted in Transportation |
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
The Brighton Line Rehabilitation project is coming to an end! Starting in September, the Q train will once again stop at all the stations that have been closed temporarily, and the B train will be back to running express. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that to complete the work, the line will terminate at Prospect Park for a weekend, when there will also be street closures in Midwood. Granite Construction provided Community Board 14 with the following street closures for the weekend of September 9-12:
* Avenue P between E. 15th and E. 16th from 8:00 PM Friday 9/9 thru 5:00 AM Monday 9/12.
* Avenue J between E. 15th and E. 16th from 8:00 PM Friday 9/9 thru 5:00 AM Monday 9/12.
* Chestnut Avenue between E. 15th and E. 16th from 8:00 PM Friday 9/9 thru 5:00 AM Monday 9/12.
* The current one-way traffic between Ave. I and Ave. J will become two-way traffic from 8:00 PM Friday 9/9 thru 5:00 AM Monday 9/12. Vehicles will not be able to access Avenue J from East 16th street during this period.
Detour signs will be in place to direct motorists accordingly.
Trains will not be running between Prospect Park and Stillwell Avenue from 8pm Friday, September 9 through 5am Monday, September 12. Here are the alternatives for that weekend, from the MTA:
* B68 and free shuttle buses provide express and local service between Prospect Park and Stillwell Av.
* Express shuttle buses run between Brighton Beach and Prospect Park, stopping at Sheepshead Bay, Neck Rd, Avenue U, Kings Hwy, the Flatbush Av 2 Station and Prospect Park.
* Local shuttle buses run between Prospect Park and Kings Hwy, making all Q station stops.
* B68 bus service is available between Brighton Beach and Stillwell Av (additional service will be provided overnight).
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, construction, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
Sunday, May 29th, 2011
Monday is Memorial Day, which means that subways and buses are running on a Sunday schedule: so no B trains, and the Q won’t run very often.
If you have the day off and you’re around tomorrow, why not bike to a beach? New York City beaches officially opened this weekend, and there are some good ones within nice bike riding or walking distance. But when you get there, remember, you can’t smoke.
- Mary
Tags: holiday, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
From the MTA:
Regular B, D, F, N and R subway service resumed this afternoon between Manhattan and Brooklyn following the derailment of a NYC Transit work train outside the DeKalb Avenue station early this morning. NYC Transit Maintenance of Way and Car Equipment crews worked diligently throughout the day to re-rail the work train, inspect the tracks and replace approximately 200 feet of third rail damaged when the wheels of one car of the work train derailed.
The cause of the accident is being investigated. MTA NYC Transit would like to thank our customers for their patience while we responded to and cleared this accident.
They say to expect residual delays. And there’s currently a signal problem at Prospect Park, so basically the fun never ends.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
The commute this morning is going to suck because a work train derailed on the Manhattan Bridge. From WNYC:
Officials with the Metropolitan Transit Authority say one car of a four-car train came off the tracks outside the DeKalb Avenue Station. The train was carrying MTA employees, but there were no injuries in the derailment.
No B trains in either direction, and the Brooklyn-bound Q is running on the R line between DeKalb and Canal. If it weren’t raining, I might suggest walking, which could probably get you to your destination faster today. Check for updates on the MTA site.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
Subway by elbrozzie.
Join our Flickr group to add photos from around Midwood!
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA, photography
Posted in Images |
Monday, April 18th, 2011
The overnight disruptions on the Q line continue this week, same as last week. We’re fine for this weekend though–no shuttle buses!
Q Trains run every 30 minutes between Atlantic Av and Stillwell Av
Nights, 12:15 AM to 5 AM, Tue to Fri, Apr 19 – 22
Trains run in two sections:
1. Between 57 St-7 Av and Pacific St.
2. Between Atlantic and Stillwell Avs.
To continue your trip, walk through the passageway between Pacific St and Atlantic Av.
- Mary
Tags: Brighton Line, MTA
Posted in Transportation |
