Results tagged “7train”

It's a good thing the MTA Bailout saved the W train from saying farewell because it sounds like its neighboring buddy line the R has already had enough dumped onto it lately. The tenth annual "subway shmutz" survey released today by the Straphangers Campaign rated the R the dirtiest line in the system with only 25 percent of its cars clean.

After initially thinking that they would rename the 7 Train subway stop in tandem with the new ballpark, the MTA announced that the train stop closest to the Mets' new digs will not carry the name "Citi Field" after the team refused to cough up any money for the station's name change. The station is nearly halfway through a planned $40 million in renovations to go along with the opening of the new stadium and the MTA had hoped to help pay for the work with a portion of the $20 million a year the Mets are receiving in naming rights from Citigroup. The team apparently wasn't eager to spread the wealth however and now the station will simply be renamed "Mets/Willets Point," the nearby LIRR station carrying the same name. On the upside, at least the MTA avoids the possibility of being forced into renaming the station again with no one exactly holding their breath that Citi Field (or as some are calling it, Debits Field) is a moniker that will last through the economic winter.

   

[UPDATE: VIDEO BELOW] That big beautiful specimen you see dangling behind our mayor is the front part of what will be a 100-ton tunnel boring machine, or "TBM," as they say in the boring biz. Today workers lowered the "cutter head" part of the TBM into a "launch chamber" hole near the intersection of 25th Street and 11th Avenue, where come spring they'll begin drilling two 7,100-foot long tunnels to Times Square as part of the long-awaited 7 train extension.

With the MTA halting weekend 7 train service (namely, service between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza) to upgrade the tracks this past weekend plus the next eight weekends, residents and business owners feel like they are getting the shaft. 1010 WINS reports, "Riders who go to the Grand Central Station can expect to see yellow tape blocking the entrance, but what they won't find is an explanation or an alternate route into Queens." A Long Island City gallery and theater owner says attendance was down 50% this past weekend and City Councilman Eric Gioia said, "The 7 train is a lifeline to Queens. When the MTA shuts it down for nine weekends, it hurts families and businesses in already tough economic times." He wants the MTA to increase bus service and discount tickets on the LIRR, adding, "If you're asking us to pay more on our MetroCards, then please at least give us the bare essentials."

As we briefly mentioned yesterday, the grades have come in on the second annual rider report cards for the L and 7 train lines. While only half the riders on the L and a quarter of those who take the 7 train turned in a report card when compared to a year ago, the results were roughly the same--consistently staying in the C-range in most categories. MTA officials were quick to highlight how riders gave both lines some more credit for how clean they kept their cars and stations (all the way up to B-minus for L cars). The lowest grades for both lines came in how riders felt about having adequate room during rush hour, with each picking up a D. The MTA tried to put the best face on the grades with NYC Transit president Howard Roberts Jr. saying, "What would have astonished me is if the results had turned out to be A’s.” Related: 2007 rider report cards for the 7 and L.

Attention passengers: The next stop on this westbound 7 train extension will not be 10th Avenue and 41st Street. Due to a sick economy, MTA officials will bypass plans for a 10th Avenue station. However, they're still going through with building a new station at 34th Street and 11th Avenue to accommodate the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. City Room reports that last fall the MTA signed a $1.14 billion contract with a company to dig a new 7 train tunnel and build the 34th Street station; a second station at 41st and 10th would have cost $450 million, and officials say the budget won't allow it. The city defended the change, explaining that "a 10th Avenue station is not necessary to drive growth there." But Andrew Albert of the NYC Transit Riders Council scoffs to NY1: "Is that the only reason we build subway stations now, to spur development? How about to serve the people that are already in a neighborhood?" The extension is expected to be finished in 2013. Please be patient.

Earlier this morning, two work trains "collided east of Willets Point-Shea Stadium," according to WABC 7. The 7 line was suspended and shuttle buses or the Q48 were recommended alternative routes, but the 7 is now running local (no Manhattan-bound express). And no crew members or passengers were reportedly hurt in the incident. As subway enthusiasts know, the Corona Yard, where 7 trains and work trains are parked, is nearby.

There are signal problems at Times Square, so there are no Times Squard-bound 7 express trains, as of 8:30 a.m. The MTA recommends the E, F, R, and V at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue as an alternate, as well as the N and W at Queensboro Plaza. Check the MTA's service alerts website for the latest details.