...An eclectic mix of local Politics, Education, Community Affairs, Environment, History, Birding,Jamaica Bay, Ridgewood Reservoir, Forest Park, and other assorted items of interest...
Concentrating on the Borough of Queens in New York City...and the neighborhoods of Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park...and Community Boards 5, 6, 9 and 10...
The Rockaway Park shuttle, which was stalled for hours during the blizzard, faced another challenge this morning when a man jumped off the railroad trestle connecting Rockaway and Broad Channel and took a short plunge into the icy waters of Jamaica Bay. Passengers first became aware of the commotion when the Broad Channel–bound shuttle slammed on its brakes and blared its horn shortly after 11 a.m. The conductor was overheard radioing in a description of the African-American male jumper, who he later saw emerge in shallow water, without his clothes. The train continued to the Broad Channel station, where witnesses told Intel that they'd seen the man strip off his coat on the platform and walk the tracks onto the bridge. There, he stripped off his shirt and pants. 'I think he was trying to get hit by the train and when it stopped, he just jumped,' said one. Service was still running as of 11:20, when police were on the scene looking for the man.
Some bad advice from Duke Ellington during the recent blizzard...
It was a "suicide mission" that had him side-stepping the third rail in blinding snow.
A motorman whose A train got stuck during the blizzard recounted the treacherous night, saying yesterday that he climbed onto the tracks a terrifying 20 times over a desolate stretch of Jamaica Bay to manually clear snow from the signals.
Yann Willam Hicks, who's been a driver for four years, was forced to do the work by hand because the metal "signal" arms that automatically shut down a train when they're hit were frozen in the upright position.
"I had to get off at every signal because they were stuck in the upright position. I did this on the bridges above the water!" Hicks said. "We'd travel for a bit, get stuck, I'd get out, then we'd travel again. This happened about 20 times."
Hicks said he was astonished when his dispatcher told him to drive the train in the weather, knowing the subway couldn't handle the haul.
"I told the dispatcher, 'You've got to be kidding! You're sending us out in this stuff? This is suicide!' " he said.
And the risk of falling from the tracks was the least of his concerns
"Every time I jumped off the train, I couldn't see the third rail -- I had no idea where it was," he said about the high-voltage line that could have fried him had he come in contact with it.
When part of his train finally crawled into Aqueduct station, he was told he couldn't advance because a train carrying 500 passengers in front of him was stuck.
At first, the riders were infuriated with him, but eventually, Hicks said, the passengers realized he was as stuck as they were.
"I was calling dispatchers every 15 minutes asking what was up. That was the hardest thing -- when the passengers got irate. They were taking it out on us, banging on doors," he said.
Riders Stuck On Train With No Food, Water or Bathrooms
AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews
For many New Yorkers, getting stuck on a subway train for more than a couple of extra minutes can be a serious annoyance – and the thought of being stuck for hours is a nightmare.
But in the midst of this blizzard, it became a reality for some folks trying to get home from Kennedy Airport.
Stranded passenger Susan Jutt joined CBS 2 via cell phone from a crowded A train Monday morning just after 5:30 a.m. At that point, she and approximately 400 other riders had been stuck on the train for just over five hours.
“Most of the people are just waking up now, and there’s no water and no bathrooms so it’s a little difficult,” Jutt said.
The immobile train was sitting above ground at the Aqueduct Racetrack station, and according to Jutt, just about everyone on the train was coming from Kennedy Airport after their flights were canceled.
“There was no other way to get out of the airport, the air train closed down, so there were shuttle buses that took us to the subway,” Jutt said.
NYC Transit Spokesman Charles Seaton said snow drifts and ice on the third rail had stalled the trains at the Broad Channel and Aqueduct stops in Queens, north and south of Kennedy Airport.
Workers had been intermittently dispensing information to the passengers. At one point, the plan was to have another train come to pull the defunct A train out of the station.
“That never happened,” Jutt said. “I have seen workers, I know they’ve been trying.”
Most passengers remained in good spirits despite the frustrating situation.
“I think everybody’s been pretty good natured considering how difficult this has been,” said Jutt.
By noon the trains had been pulled into stations. Seaton says there are no trains stuck anywhere.
“It’s really still a mess out there on the subways and buses,” Seaton said. “Let us clean up the rest of the system, get the trains moving, if you do not have to use mass transit today, if you don’t have to go anywhere — don’t.”
Family and friends of James Knell mourn the death of the track worker killed after slipping and falling on to a third rail while doing track work in East Rockaway, Queens. Marino for News
The track supervisor who tripped and fell to his death on a third rail Monday apparently shouldn't have been working in that morning's wet weather, union officials said.
The scene on the tracks of the Beach 90th street Station where an MTA employee was electrocuted. Pictured here are ground clips attached to the uncovered section of the third rail. Costanza for News
"How could this happen?" father-in-law Gregory Odette said. "They shouldn't have been working in the rain. I don't understand. Somebody made a mistake."
Track workers twice were pulled from tracks during heavy rainfall before the 4:30 a.m. tragedy, sources said.
It was unclear if the rain had completely stopped or if there was a light drizzle when Knell fell at about 4:30 a.m. NYC Transit declined to comment during an ongoing investigation.
Sources said track workers toiled on and off through rain during the overnight shift.
The power was turned off for the project but was restored so a test train could come through the area around Beach 90th St.
Knell was a track crew member before being promoted nine years ago to crew supervisor. He was represented by the Subway Surface Supervisors Association, which declined to comment on rules and regulations Tuesday.
"We're just concerned with the grief of the family right now. There will be another day for that, if necessary," association President Tony Gamma said, adding the tragedy does highlight "the everyday dangers of the job that our members do."
MTA workers investigate scene where supervisor Jimmy Knell fell onto the third rail and was electrocuted Monday on an elevated line in Queens.Egan-Chin/News
A veteran transit worker was electrocuted Monday when he slipped and fell on the third rail on a rain-soaked stretch of elevated tracks in Queens.
The sudden death of 45-year-old James Knell, broke the heart of his high school sweetheart, Jackie, whom he married two years ago after being apart for decades.
"He was my soulmate," she said through tears as she left her parents' home in Flushing last night.
"She wanted to have a child with Jim," said Jackie's weeping father, Gregory Odette, 61. "They were hoping."
Knell, who dated his future wife when they were teenagers in Flushing, doted on her 10-year-old twins and often took them fishing on his boat, Odette said.
And, in a cruel twist, Knell was filling in for another worker when he died, Odette said.
"He shouldn't have been out there working in the rain like that," he said.
Knell was the first city transit worker killed on the job since 2007, when the deaths of Daniel Boggs and Marvin Franklin prompted the agency to enact new safety regulations and procedures.
Transit and union officials said Knell died about 4:30 a.m. as he was wrapping up a track replacement project on the A line near the Beach 90th St. station in Rockaway Beach.
The power had just been restored so subway service could resume for the rush hour, but a protective board had not yet been placed over the third rail on that stretch, officials said.
Knell was retrieving a bucket of spikes that had been left on the tracks when he slipped, possibly on loose gravel on the concrete walkway beside the track.
"I was about 100 feet from him. I saw him walking by," a grieving subway worker said. "The next thing I know, I heard he fell and was electrocuted."
While it appeared that Knell's death was a tragic accident, Prendergast said an investigation was underway to "both determine a cause and to ensure we prevent a recurrence."
Union officials blasted NYC Transit for making the men toil on the tracks during a downpour.
"Working in the rain around a live third rail is inherently dangerous, it shouldn't happen," Local 100 President John Samuelsen said. "A man is not going home to his family."
Knell, of East Rockaway, L.I., worked for the agency for 13 years and had been a supervisor for the past nine.
"It's ironic as we remember Boggs' and Franklin's third year of their tragedy, we lose another worker on the tracks," said Paulie Navarro of Transport Workers Union Local 100. "It's a sad day in the track department again."
Odette said Knell's death was the tragic end to a love story that began after both divorced.
"Jackie would say to me, 'I really love him,' and I would tell her, 'Let him know,'" he said, choking back tears. "You'd see them walking down the street holding hands."
In response to the MTA board’s mid-December vote approving a budget that calls for massive cuts to mass transit riders, students, and disabled users of Access-a-Ride, NYS SenatorJoseph P. Addabbo, Jr., today wished to reassure his constituents. “Nothing is going to happen right away; the legislature is continuing to work on MTA budget issues and when the legislative session resumes in January, we will work diligently to minimize the pain of such proposed MTA service cuts.” The Senator stated that the MTA will hold public hearings on their budget proposals and there are other procedural steps to be taken before such cuts in service would become a reality. Constituents have been telling Addabbo that they are especially afraid to lose free MetroCards for student-commuters, the Q56 bus service along Jamaica Avenue, the Z train running between Jamaica and downtown Manhattan, as well as the convenience of pickups and drop-offs that Access-a-Ride provides the disabled and seniors in the district. “I intend to address all of these issues with the MTA,” Addabbo responded.
The MTA board has proposed the following service cuts to alleviate their budget shortfall: eliminating the Z and W trains (Q extended to Astoria, J makes local stops); cutting the G off at Court Square station at all times instead of 71st Avenue/Forest Hills; cutting the M off at Broad Street station at all times; increasing wait times on “letter” subways on weekends to 10 minutes; increasing wait times on overnight trains to 30 minutes; cramming about 18 more passengers into every subway car; charging half price for currently free student MetroCards in 2010 and full price in 2011; eliminating a toll rebate for Rockaway residents who use the Cross Bay Bridge; ending door-to-door Access-A-Ride service for disabled and elderly riders, bringing them to the nearest accessible stop instead; service reductions on Metro-North Railroad and LIRR (Babylon, Port Washington and West Hempstead branches); cramming more passengers on Metro-North trains; cutting managers’ pay by 10 percent; cutting service on several Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bronx buses in addition to X25, X27, X28 and X32 express buses. In Queens, the MTA proposes eliminating the Q26, Q56, Q74, Q75, Q84 buses; eliminating weekend service on the Q14, Q31, Q76, Q79 buses, and shortening hours on the Q30, Q42, Q48, and Q79 bus routes.
“I will coordinate with other elected officials throughout the district over the coming months to gather information for our constituents that comes out of the public hearings. I believe that before the MTA fixes its budget problems by cutting services and hurting our people, they should do the internal administrative cuts within the MTA to become more efficient and minimize the pain for its ridership,” Addabbo concluded.
Queens Pols Question Administration for Leaving $15 Million in Federal Ferry Funding on the Table
Gathered at Riis Landing, District Leader Frank Gulluscio along with State Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer and District Leader Lew Simon laid out his 3 Point Transportation Plan to improve the commute of Rockaways resident. Given the need to expand transportation options for Rockaways residents, the pols also questioned the Administration’s decision to sideline $15 million in funding allotted by Congressman Anthony Weiner in 2005.
“We need to make high quality low cost public transportation a priority in this City. We should invest in the City’s transit infrastructure to increase the frequency and quality of subway, bus and ferry service. Hard-working Rockaways residents have some of the longest commute times in the whole country. We must do more and I have a plan,” said District Leader Gulluscio.
The average commute time in the United States is 25 minutes; the average commute time in Queens is 42 minutes; the average commute time for someone living in the Rockaways is over an hour. In an op-ed this week Gulluscio asserts, the City must take a multi-faceted approach to improve the commutes of Rockaway residents including:
Replacing current shuttle train service to Rockaway stops with full-time A-train service and as a stop-gap measure increasing shuttle service until this service begins.
Expanding express bus service to include nights and weekends and reinstate limited service on Q35 and Q53 routes.
Expanding ferry service to include additional evening departures from Manhattan and service to midtown as well as more weekend service. Additionally, continuing to fund the subsidy for Rockaway ferry service past April 2010 when it expires.
“Commuting for Rockaway residents is oftentimes a nightmare. The ferry service must be improved, expanded and affordable to all. We are a waterfront community and water transport, which is faster and “greener” alternative, is a natural fit for my community.” Said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer.
The two-year pilot program for ferry service running between Riis Landing in the Rockaways and Pier 11 in Manhattan began in May 2008. The ferry service was made possible in part by a $1.1 million allocation from the New York City Council. The ticket price is $6 because of the subsidy provided by the City Council. Thus far, the service has proven to be a success with weekday ridership averaging between 155-360 and when weekend ridership is available averaging between 500-700 (according to NYC Water Taxi figures).
“I believe the start of the Rockaway ferry was a positive step forward toward utilizing our waterways as a mode of transportation,” said State Senator Joseph Addabbo. “I am so proud that the service has proven to be a success thus far and I hope the City continues to expand it. I know that Frank will fully support the expansion of ferry service and will continue to fund the ferry subsidy.”
Gulluscio added that while he intends to work with the City to improve and expand transportation options and hopes to be named to the Council’s Transportation Committee if elected; he questions some of the decisions that have been made in regards to transportation funding. Specifically, Gulluscio calls on the Administration to put to use $15 million in funding that Congressman Anthony Weiner obtained in 2005 to use to expand ferry service options for the Rockaways.
As recently as last year, Bloomberg said “We're not going to walk away from 15 million bucks," (Daily News 5/11/2008) citing the need to review ridership numbers before expanding service. Gulluscio said “We cannot continue to leave this money on the table while Rockaway residents suffer. Initial figures show the limited Rockaway ferry service is a success. We should look into moving forward by adding additional service times and additional stops in midtown”.
“Our community suffers each and every day with the abominable service on the A line. We look for the addition of all night express bus service and we need our ferry to run more frequently to different parts of Manhattan. I look forward to working with Frank Gulluscio to fight for our community and the improved transportation it deserves. ” said District Leader Lew Simon.
The last of "the slant" trains was retired Friday. (Photo courtesy John Urbanski)
NYC Transit has retired another quirky subway oddity in their shrinking pool of vintage cars.
On Friday, the MTA put to rest its last operating R40 train, a model better known as “the slant” for its distinctive sloping front. The peculiar 15-degree slant was intended to look like the bullet trains of the future — back in 1968. The 200 trains ran on the lettered lines such as the A and F.
The trains suffered from numerous mechanical problems, including a lack of handholds between trains putting riders at risk with falling onto the tracks (yikes!).
Transit began taking the trains out of service last year as it has updated its fleet. A pair of R40s live on at the New York Transit Museum for those feeling nostalgic.
Richmond Hill is home to a community of immigrants who descend from Indians sent to the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations in the 19th century. Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times
The A train rumbles to a halt at the Ozone Park/Lefferts Boulevard stop in central Queens. To the east, a dozen blocks of Liberty Avenue unfold in a series of roti, sari and gold shops that make up the fragrant spine of Richmond Hill, a community of immigrants who descend from Indians sent to the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations in the 19th century.
One must first reconcile the sight of saris and turbans with lilting English inflected with Creole. Then there is the juxtaposition of Hindu temples and gritty convenience stores, and thumping West Indian dance-hall music pouring out of religious shops. On weekend mornings, locals bring their black finches to Phil Rizzuto Park, formerly known as Smokey Oval Park, for chirp-off contests.
1 P.M. Eat lunch at Sonny’s Roti Shop, 118-06 Liberty Avenue, (718) 835-7255, right under the train station. Sonny’s may not be as well known as Brown Betty’s, Sybil’s or the Little Guyana Bake Shop, but the owner, Steven Rajkumal, a Trinidadian immigrant known as Sonny, is happy to introduce newcomers to the dishes. Order rotis ($5.50 for chicken, $8.50 for oxtail), or try snacks and desserts with cool-sounding names like jalibee and paymee ($2 each).
2 P.M. Within a block of the subway station, there are more shopping options than in some entire towns. You can buy a washer-dryer set at G&R Electronics, 114-04 Liberty Avenue, then walk next door to the Outlook Fashions gift shop, 119-03 Liberty Avenue, for a sitar, then take a safari through the crystal jungle of chandelier shops like B.Q. Gifts, 124-02 Liberty Avenue. Anjee Sherman, the owner of Anjees, 123-11 Liberty Avenue, (718) 843-6108, enjoys helping hip Western women try on saris, which start at $10 and can top $1,000 for wedding silks; her shop also carries small idols of Hindu gods, known as murties, worship offerings called pooja, and holiday fare like prasad.
3 P.M. Among the halal butchers and open-air markets stocked with South Asian spices are stores specializing in Guyanese gold, which is particularly glittery and is often used in ornate pendants.
4 P.M. At Rishi Video Palace, 103-44 124th Street, the owner, Raj Dutt, will guide you through the Bollywood classics and CDs of chutney and soca (think calypso on steroids, with singing in Hindi or English).
5 P.M. For tropical refreshment, sidewalk vendors on every other block sell sliced mango flavored with hot sauce, lemon and salt. At other stalls, a worker with a machete will chop open a coconut and stick in a straw for $3. Or, have your palm read by any of a half-dozen psychics; Marie Sanchez, between 128th and 129th Streets, is offering a $5 recession special. The sidewalk entertainment includes young men in cars with tinted windows and flashy metal rims creeping along Liberty Avenue, blasting soca, dance-hall or reggaeton music.
6 P.M. Relax at Rani Spa, 126-08 Liberty Avenue, (718) 641-7600, which offers eyebrow threading, mehndi (temporary henna tattoos on the hands) and shirodhara, a massage that includes the pouring of warm oil on the forehead ($50 for a half hour). The manager, Rumi Begum, will put you at ease, and the friendly locals sitting around the salon will make you laugh.
7 P.M. At the Ranch Restaurant and Bar of Guyana, 134-01 Liberty Avenue, (718) 206-2333, drink Red Stripe, Carib and Banks beer, or a Guyanese overproof rum known as High Wine while playing pool and watching cricket. Order fried shark or jerk chicken appetizers at the bar ($8). A short walk east is Club Tobago, 147-02 Liberty Avenue, (718) 658-9600, which on weekend nights is a hot dance hall popping with big crowds and live DJs.
Subway riders gave the A train a "C-minus" in the second annual report card survey - the same grade the line received in 2007.
Riders sent in nearly 6,000 thousand report cards that graded 21 areas of service.
The highest grade went to the availability of MetroCard vending machines.
Customers on the A say they would like to see more improvements on wait time for trains, adequate room on board during rush hour, fewer delays and station announcements that are easy to hear.
The city transit president says improving services is a challenge because the A line is approximately 31 miles long.
