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Sunday, January 29, 2012

More Service, Not Tracks




We Need More Existing Service, Not Tracks!



South Queens would be better served with increased rail service on the existing A lines (which wouldn't cost millions or even billions and would take effect more immediately than years down the line) and express or even regular buses that ran frequently and in sync with rush hour (versus questionably) and especially when schools let out around 2:30-3:00PM.

I've seen great service in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and have yet to see it in Queens. It would be incredibly helpful if our buses and trains had some sort of dialogue on what their schedules are like and a dream come true if they actually cooperated with each other, and thus made our commutes much easier, much faster and less frustrating. Waiting for 15-20 minutes between trains at the end of the A line is something that we can more easily upgrade. Toronto does this and I was able to maneuver their rails and buses on my first trip there. 


Even residents of the North side of the defunct LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch  have an hour and 15 minute commute; it's not a "privilege" for anyone in Queens to get to the Manhattan, regardless of where they live along the aforementioned tracks.

I think people need to get real and ride the rails and buses to find the truth about not only traveling by mass transit in Queens, but what would really benefit the community who actually live there and not just for the benefit of tourists, who are only here for short time. 



I would love to get on a bike and ride around my neighborhood and the rest Queens, but the streets of South Queens aren't safe for a cyclist: we have very little access to bike lanes, drivers and pedestrians have very little understanding of the road rules and how to react to cyclists, and safe places to park bikes or make tit easier to take our bikes on buses and trains on our way around this great city.