Yesterday, the Metropolitan Transit Authority confirmed that the F Train returns to full service on Monday, April 1st. We reported that last week based on their website information. It’s good news, but we’ll have a struggle on the weekend before.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Barriers will come down, commutes will shorten and service will increase on April 1st at 5:00 a.m. No more 20-minute waits between shuttles.
The MTA’s 63rd Street Tunnel Track Fixation Project, which launched on August 28th, wraps up on time. Through seven months of limited subway service, Roosevelt Islanders largely adjusted well, even without meaningful support from RIOC. With no relief from Tram cabin overcrowding, vulnerable Roosevelt Islanders and others discouraged by masses of aggressive tourists just stayed home whenever possible.
About That Last Weekend Before the F Train Returns
At 11:45 p.m. on Friday, March 29th, F Train Shuttle Services shut down for good, leaving Roosevelt Island and 21st/Queensbridge without subway service until Monday morning. The MTA will substitute with shuttle buses to Queens Plaza for the duration.
Aside from that, NYC Ferry Service, Q102 buses and the Tram are options. RIOC promises rush-hour services for the Tram from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., on both weekend days.
An early cherry blossom season may bring thousands of visitors to Roosevelt Island that weekend, choking mass transit.
Aware of this threat, last week, we asked RIOC to reach out to their MTA contacts for early confirmation of these challenging circumstances and work with us on a “community solution.” In the end, its interim leadership did neither.
Similarly, we suggested an easy Tram overcrowding solution which was also rejected without comment.
Instead, RIOC reprises the limited and never explained or discussed support that’s brought groans of frustration every time it’s been in play. That is, a single Red Bus shuttle will run as bridge traffic allows between Tram stations from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., a schedule that seems geared more toward RIOC’s needs than residents’.
The situation appears firm, but we’ll get back to you if there are any changes.
Emergency Without Urgency
When government invokes the word “emergency,” normal process changes. Timelines accelerate. Environmental review can narrow. Procurement pathways can shift.
