for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com JULY 25, 2013 • The Courier SUN 19 MTA improve’M’ents M line will run on weekends LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com Ridgewood subway riders can rejoice, as the M line will be making stops to Manhattan on the weekends again. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on July 22 that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will make improvements and expansions throughout the city to bus, subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service with state funding. “For the second year in a row, the state has invested in significant enhancements and expansions to our state’s transit system that will improve the experience of the eight million commuters who use the MTA,” Cuomo said. The enhancements are possible because of state aid from the 2013 Executive Budget, cost-cutting measures by the MTA and fare hikes. The agency will spend $7.9 million annually on new bus and subway services and another $5.9 million to improve track and station cleaning, increase controllers to manage numbered line service and add more security cameras. Chief among the enchantments is the restoration of weekend service on the M line, which currently runs from Metropolitan Avenue to Myrtle Avenue stations on weekends. The route will be extended to the Essex and Delancey Street station in downtown Manhattan. Presently, weekend riders traveling to Manhattan from Ridgewood are forced to transfer to the J train at Myrtle Avenue. The service upgrade will reduce transfers and shorten waits for 37,000 weekend customers, according to the MTA. Riders agreed that the M line extension will make for faster commutes and decrease congestion on the weekends. “This helps me a lot because on the weekends I have to rely just on the R train, so now my commute to work on weekends might be a little faster,” said Maria Niedzwiedz. As part of the improvements the agency is planning to reduce wait times for G train riders by speeding up service from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays from every 10 minutes to every eight minutes. Some Queens buses will also see more service. The MTA will restore weekend service to the Q31 bus, which runs from Jamaica to Bayside. “It will be really great because I have prep school on Saturdays,” said Bayside High School student Sam Son, who currently has to take alternative routes to reach his weekend courses. Sunday service is also being established for the Q77, which travels through Jamaica and Springfield Gardens. The enhancements include $2.6 million in service add-ons for the LIRR including restored service in both directions every half hour from Ronkonkoma to Port Washington. For more information on all the updates throughout the city, visit www. governor.ny.gov/press/07222013-governor announces-mta-investments. Additional reporting by Ben Fang and Johann Hamilton THE COURIER/Photos by Johann Hamilton Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Herbal Treatments Your #1 solution for lower back pain, headache and TMJ problems At CNS Rehabilitation Center solutions, our mission is to provide exceptional, progressive and cost effective Rehabilitation services through personalized care that emphasizes functional independence for you. This allows you to recover quickly and resume your normal activities faster than ever before. We strive to provide the highest quality of physical therapy, Acupuncture and herbal treatments services by providing hands on and customized care. ESWT/SHOCKWAVE: Heel Pain Tennis Elbow Shoulder Pain Carpal Tunnel Plantar Fasciitis Spinal Decompression: Back/Neck Pain Disc Herniation Disc Degeneration Sciatica/Radiculitis Spinal Stenosis Acupuncture/ Herbal Treatment: Infertility Stomach Ache Insomnia • Headaches Asthma • Allergies Bells Palsy • Stroke Call CNS Rehabilitation Center or visit us on the web at www.cnsrehabilitation.com 63-60 102ND ST, #G22 REGO PARK, NY 11374 718-896-2011 L & M TOURS PROVIDING RELIABLE SERVICE FOR OVER 14 YEARS! CALL FOR A FREE BROCHURE ONE DAY and MULTI-DAY TOURS! Scheduled Bus Trips All Year Round Over 250 tours to choose from: �� Cape May, Philadelphia & Newport �� Penn Dutch Amish Tour �� Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont �� Montreal, Quebec, Niagara Falls, 1000 Islands, Ottawa & Toronto �� Cooperstown, Lake George �� Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard �� Lobster & Crab Feasts �� Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland �� Casinos, Theatres & Shopping �� Sight & Sound Theatres �� Gettysburg, Montauk, Boston ��������������������������������������718-238-2284 6812 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220
SC07252013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above