FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com OCTOBER 29, 2015 • THE COURIER SUN 3 More trains coming to Queens subway lines next June: MTA BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@queenscourier. com/@robbpoz Commuters who rely upon the subway to get around Queens will have more trains to ride next year. The MTA announced on Thursday it would expand weekday service in June 2016 on 12 subway routes, meeting an increase in both current and projected future ridership throughout the system. “New York City is in the middle of a development renaissance, and the MTA is part of the driving force behind huge changes in parts of the city that residents now see as desirable to live in and businesses to build out,” James L. Ferrara, interim MTA New York City Transit president, said in a statement. “Making these service changes wherever we can lets us make the best use of existing resources as we expand to keep up with private sector development.” One particular change affects the morning rush hour for riders of the M line, which operates as a virtual loop between Forest Hills and Middle Village by way of midtown Manhattan. The MTA will add an extra “northbound” train out of Metropolitan Avenue-Middle Village between 8:30 and 9 a.m., increasing the number of trains from three to four. This, however, comes at a cost to those riding the M line “southbound” out of 71st-Continental Avenue in Forest Hills between 8 and 8:30 a.m., as one less train will operate in that direction (five trains to four trains). During both periods, riders can anticipate M trains departing every 7.5 minutes. The MTA will also add an extra train on the N line — which runs from Astoria and Long Island City through to Manhattan and Queens — on weekday mornings from 9 to 9:30 a.m., from three to four trips. The change will reduce wait times from 10 to 7.5 minutes. Additionally, the MTA plans on adding three additional trips on the J line— which operates through Jamaica, Woodhaven and Richmond Hill — during evening hours from 7 to 10 p.m., from 16 to 19 trips. This will reduce wait time from an average of 11.3 minutes to 9.5 minutes. Two extra round-trip trains will come to the E line — which operates as an express through much of Queens between Long Island City and Forest Hills — on weeknights from 8 to 9 p.m., from 10 to 12 trips. This will reduce estimated wait times from six to five minutes. Finally, an extra round-trip train will be added to the A line — which runs from Ozone Park and Far Rockaway to Manhattan — on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to noon, from three to four trips, reducing wait times from 10 minutes to 7.5 minutes. In all, the system-wide service enhancements will cost the MTA $5.8 million annually, and it has already been included in the authority’s 2016 operating budget. One transit advocacy group was particularly thrilled to hear the news. “This is good news for transit riders,” said John Raskin, executive director of the Riders Alliance. “More trains mean less waiting on lonely platforms, especially at night and on the weekends.” The MTA plans on expanding service on 12 subway and elevated train lines, including the N line that operates in Astoria and Long Island City, next June. Councilmen Miller and Lancman introduce reforms for commuter vans BY KIRSTEN E. PAULSON editorial@queenscourier.com/@QueensCourier Two local lawmakers are pushing for passage of legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal commuter van activity across the city. Three bills focused on commuter van operations that Councilmen I. Daneek Miller and Rory Lancman co-sponsored were considered during the Oct. 22 meeting of the City Council’s Transportation Committee. Introduction 570 would repeal the current Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) requirement that commuter vans operate on a prearrangement basis and maintain a passenger manifest, as well as the requirement that they renew their license every six years. Introduction 860 would provide for the requirement of a study of safety issues in the commuter van industry. It would also suspend new commuter van licenses until the study is completed. Under the bill, the TLC would conduct a study of the commuter van industry and include information on safety issues, data on vans, buses and drivers, information on illegal commuter vans, and other information necessary to maintain proper transportation standards throughout the city. The study would have to be submitted to the City Council and posted online by March 1, 2016. Finally, Introduction 861 would raise the civil penalty for violating any law or rule related to commuter vans. Currently, the fine is $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for second and subsequent offenses within two years. The current fine for illegally operating a commuter van is $500 to $1,000 for a first offense and $1,000 to $2,500 for second and subsequent offenses within two years. Introduction 861 would raise the fine for any violation or illegal van operation to $3,000 for a first offense and $4,000 for second and subsequent offenses within two years. “We are thrilled to finally begin to address this often unregulated and substandard industry. The hearing was a great opportunity to discuss impactful reform that will help to raise standards and provide our communities with the transportation service they deserve,” Miller said following the meeting. “The proliferation of illegal and illegally functioning vans presents a real problem and I am proud that we have been able to work with a wide array of stakeholders in moving towards a meaningful legislative package.” “Rogue commuter van operators endanger riders and pedestrians every day,” Lancman added. “By gathering more data on the industry and increasing fines for violations, we will create a climate where van operators stop running through regulations and start following the rules.” “In Southeast Queens, residents rely heavily on commuter vans due to a lack of reliable transportation options, but there needs to be stronger enforcement by the TLC,” said Councilman Donovan Richards. “There is no coordination in our districts, so there needs to be designated stops to bring more order to the commuter van industry. I’d like to thank Council member Miller for introducing these bills and I look forward to seeing a response from the TLC on potential reforms.” The issue of commuter van reforms is expected to come up again on Oct. 27 during a Southeast Queens Transportation Town Hall hosted by Councilmen Richards and Miller. According to Miller’s office, representatives from Access-A-Ride will also be present at the Town Hall.
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