FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 15, 2018 • THE QUEENS COURIER 27
in Queens
Prime concerns over how LIC transit will handle Amazon infl ux
BY EMMA MILLER
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Th e new Amazon headquarters in
Long Island City could put pressure on
an already struggling transportation system.
One of Amazon’s requirements for
their new headquarters was access to
mass transit routes. Long Island City
meets this need with eight subway lines
and 13 bus lines as well as access to the
East River Ferry and Long Island Rail
Road. However, some wonder if it will
be enough.
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
said in a statement that the new Amazon
site is good news for Long Island City’s
economy, as it will bring new jobs
and residents to the area. However, it
will also “put even more pressure on
the city’s struggling transportation network,”
they said.
Th e subways are already at max
capacity, especially the 7, and traffi c
slows down buses more oft en than not,
the organization said. Th ey went on to
encourage lawmakers to fi nd new funding
sources such as congestion pricing
to fund the MTA’s Fast Forward plan.
LIC subway lines like the 7 and M
are expected to be extra full aft er the L
train is shut down for tunnel work on
Apr. 27, 2019. Th e line will be closed
for 15 months. Th e MTA is planning
to add more buses as well as upwards
of 1,000 roundtrips on seven diff erent
subway lines during the shutdown. Th e
M train will also have extended weekend
service.
Th e MTA has been planning to add
more 7 trains in 2019, but the line will
be under partial construction until at
least June 2020.
Th e MTA has not yet formed a plan
for the extra traffi c once the Amazon
headquarters arrives.
Some local lawmakers have also
expressed concern about transportation
in the wake of the Amazon announcement.
Congresswoman-elect Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez does not support the
company building in Queens.
“Th e idea that Amazon will receive
hundreds of millions of dollars in tax
breaks at a time when our subway is
crumbling and our communities need
MORE investment, not less, is extremely
concerning to residents here,” she
said on Twitter.
Long Island City has stops along the
7, E, F, M, G, R, N and W subway lines.
Th e QM1, QM2, QM3, QM4, QM5,
QM6, QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16,
QM17, QM18, QM20, QM 21, QM 24,
QM31, QM32, QM34, QM35, QM36,
QM40, QM42, QM44, x63, x64 and x68
buses have routes through LIC. Th is
includes the 32, B32, 39, 60, B62, 66, 67,
69, 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104 bus lines.
As for alternates, a spokesperson for
Hornblower — which operates the East
River Ferry — declined to comment on
whether it would boost service now that
Amazon HQ2 is on the way.
Th ere’s also the shelved Brooklyn-
Queens Connector (BQX), the proposed
streetcar line that would run
along the East River waterfront between
Sunset Park in Brooklyn and Astoria.
Th e original planned route passes close
to the Anable Basin, the heart of the
new Amazon HQ2 complex.
When asked whether the BQX plan
would be resurrected in light of the
Amazon HQ2 plan, an EDC spokesperson
stated only that “it’s too early to tell
on this.”
Jenna Bagcal and Naeisha Rose contributed
to this story.
Photo via Shutterstock
The 7 train in Long Island City
Queens sounds off on Twitter regarding Amazon HQ2
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
edavenport@qns.com / @QNS
Amazon’s decision to build part of its
second headquarters in Long Island City
garnered mixed reviews from the local
Twitter universe.
Th e decision to bring part of the company’s
new headquarters has left many
divided over the issue. Th e public and
elected offi cials have taken to Twitter
to voice their concerns or praise for
Amazon’s decision to set up their second
headquarters to Long Island City.
In a joint statement from Senator
Michael Gianaris and Councilman
Jimmy Van Bramer posted on Twitter,
the lawmakers say that “off ering massive
corporate welfare from scarce public
resources to one of the wealthiest corporations
in the world at a time of great
need in our state is just wrong.”
Congresswoman-elect Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez agreed with Van Bramer
and Gianaris, stating that the city is in
need more investment in the subways
and community rather than in a billion
dollar company, stating “Th e idea
that it will receive hundreds of millions
of dollars in tax breaks at a time when
our subway is crumbling and our communities
need MORE investment, not
less, is extremely concerning to residents
here.”
New York City residents are citing
worries about being priced
out of the borough or not
being able to aff ord to live off
of current wages as a result
of Amazon’s move to Long
Island City, as well as concerns
about gentrification
and the already overcrowded
subways. A user by the
name of @Tristan_NYC_
tweeted: “As I’ve previously
stated, this is the fi nal nail
in the coffi n of aff ordable of
Western Queens. Long Island
City, Astoria, Woodside,
Sunnyside, WERE once working
and middle class homesteads.
Kiss those days goodbye
forever.” He followed up
by tweeting: “Th e 7-train is
already packed to the brim
with customers with no alternative.
Th e G-train is bursting
at the seams when it reaches
its fi nal destination in Long Island City.
Th is #AmazonHQ2 is bad for existing
Queens residents.”
Twitter user @arthurtarley agreed,
saying that “Western Queens & NYC
already face housing, transit & gentrifi
cation crises. With this deal for
#AmazonHQ2, the rich get richer, the
politicians make their mark, and the
communities are left to suff er.”
However, despite the fears and reservations
of those in the area, many
are looking forward to the new headquarters,
citing the potential job opportunities
for New Yorkers. A user by
the name of @glenws68 disagreed with
Ocasio-Cortez, stating: “You’re already
showing how much you don’t get it.
Amazon would be tremendous for NYC.
Jobs, jobs, jobs. And more than their fair
share of taxes. Amazon is not responsible
for decades of NYC mismanagement.”
Photo: Shutterstock, Screenshots via Twitter
Twitter user @michaeldklett, in
response to Gianaris and Van Bramer’s
joint statement, replied: “Respectfully,
what’s wrong with Amazon investing
billions into LIC, providing jobs and
economic opportunity? Lots of companies
would follow. Great for local businesses,
restaurants and shops and their
workers. Th e city will fi nally be forced to
address transportation issues!”
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