Without Much Fanfare, Carroll Street F Train Stop Loses A Booth

photo credit: David C.

Last week...and yesterday

While I was away last week, friend David sent me the photo above of the Carroll Street F and G train station's President Street Manhattan-side entrance, where the MTA booth was removed recently.

Granted, there still is a booth with a clerk at the other entrance at Second Place and there are two Metro card machines on the President Street side, but it always seemed safer at that end of the station when there was a clerk available, even if only occasionally. 

Over the years, there have been many instances when the MTA wanted to eliminate this particular  booth, but there always came an angry outcry from the neighborhood and our politicians, who cited safety concerns. The MTA always backed off. I guess this time, the agency moved ahead without much advance notice to the community.

If the MTA isn't going to staff the booth with a station clerk at this end of the station, it's obsolete, of course, but I can't help being a bit sad about losing it. 

How about you, neighbor? 

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For Real Now? New Date Set For Re-Opening Of F Train Station Entrance At Second Place

First the Second Place F/G subway entrance in Carroll Gardens was supposed to re-open in February, then it was delayed till April and now that it is June, it s still closed. So what's up?

Apparently, about 60% of the stair treads leading down into the station have failed the initial safety inspection by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Before the station opens, the problem needs to be fixed and the stair treads need to be brought into compliance.

The new date for the re-opening has been scheduled for June 17th. I know many neighborhood commuters have been dying to find out. Lets hope that date will not come and go like the others.

The F train subway plaza and the staircase leading to the station at Second Place were blocked off during construction of the new building at 360 Smith Street back in the fall of 2010 . Since then, riders have been forced to use the smaller, narrower entrance at the corner of Second Street.

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For Real Now! Second Place Entrance To F Train Nearing Completion

The Second Place subway entrance to the F train here in Carroll Gardens was supposed to re-open at the end of February, but there have been delays. (Aren't there always?) Since then, there has been some visible progress. On Monday, a new concrete sidewalk was poured. When asked, two of the workers said that the entrance will re-open in two weeks.

The F train subway plaza and the staircase leading to the station at Second Place were blocked off during construction of the new building at 360 Smith Street back in the fall of 2010 . Since then, riders have been forced to use the smaller, narrower entrance at the corner of Second Street.
And for those who forgot what the plaza used to look like before the construction, here is a photo.

photo credit: Bob Guskind

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Remember this? A Glimpse At The Soon-To-Reopen 2nd Place F Train Subway Exit

photo by Reader A.

Now this is a sight that we haven't seen for a while. This is the staircase of the 2nd Place F train exit as seen from inside the Carroll Street station. The photo was taken by a reader who took it through a hole in the plywood that was covering the entrance.

The F train subway plaza and the staircase leading to the station at Second Place were blocked off in September 2009 when construction of the new building at 360 Smith Street started. Since then, riders have been forced to use the smaller, narrower entrance at the corner of Second Street.

Andrew Inglesby of the MTA NY City Transit announced that this particular entrance will reopen at the end of February.

Related Reading:

Great News! Second Place Entrance To F Train Station Will Re-Open Soon

When Carroll Gardens Commuters Come Home Tonight, The 2nd Place F Train Plaza Will Be Closed

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Great News! Second Place Entrance To F Train Station Will Re-Open Soon

Great news for Carroll Gardeners! The F train subway station at the corner of Second Place and Smith Street, which has been closed since September 2009, will re-open at the end of February, according to Andrew Inglesby of the MTA NY City Transit. The news was announced on Tuesday by Gary Reilly at the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association's monthly meeting.

The F train subway plaza and the staircase leading to the station at Second Place were blocked off during construction of the new building at 360 Smith Street. Since then, riders have been forced to use the smaller, narrower entrance at the corner of Second Street.

The re-opening of the staircase should make commuting in and out of the neighborhood much easier for many in the neighborhood.

Related Reading:

When Carroll Gardens Commuters Come Home Tonight, The 2nd Place F Train Plaza Will Be Closed

2nd Place Subway Station Now History

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No F & G! Train Service Disruption This Week-End

Just a reminder. You are looking ahead of another week-end of train service disruption in and out of the neighborhood. The F and G trains will be replaced by shuttle busses between the Jay Street/Metro Tech and the Church Street Station.

The outage is the result of work on the the Culver Viaduct structure and the rehabilitation of the Smith-9 Streets station.

Annoying? Heck, yes! But all worth it in the end.

For more info on service disruptions, click the MTA website here.

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Arrrggghhhhh! More F & G Train Service Disruption This Week-End And Next

It has been a while, but here we go again... Get ready for more F and G train week-end service disruption, due to the Culver Viaduct Rehab project. This week-end and next, F and G train service between Jay Street and Church Avenue will be suspended and will be replaced by shuttle buses.
You know the drill....


If you want more info, check the MTA web site.

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On June 27th, Say Good-Bye To The B71 And B75 Bus Lines

The Metropolitan Transit Authority is going ahead with its plan, put forth back in January, to eliminate the B75 and the B 71 bus lines, because of the agency's mounting budget woes. The idea had been floated by the M.T.A. numerous times in the past, but at the last minute, the money was always found to save the service. Not this time.

Both the 71 and the 75 will be eliminated on June 27. The B75 will be replaced by both the B57 and the B61. Unfortunately, the B71, which connects Carroll Gardens to Park Slope and is the lifeline of many school-aged kids, the handicapped and the elderly, will be totally eliminated.

The service cuts were made despite strong opposition and demonstrations by our local elected officials and area residents. Public transportation is vital for our neighborhoods and makes sense ecologically. The inability of the MTA to manage its finances and to balance its budget so that it can provide the services that its ridership rely on, is pitiful.

Though it seems as tough the cuts are definite, there still is a petition out there to save the
the B71 Bus. If you wish to sign it, click here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/saveB71/petition.html

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Another Week-End Without Train Service In Carroll Gardens, And One More To Come

The week-end service cut on the F train and G train line is getting old, no?

This last week-end, Carroll Gardeners had to do without train service more time, and this coming one, buses will replace trains to the Jay Street/ Borough Hall station again.

But, you will be glad to know that work is ACTUALLY being done on the Carroll Street station. On Saturday, I spotted MTA workers , as they came out of the President and Smith Street station.

Would have hated to find out that there was no service for nothing.

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This Past Week-End, T'Was Back To Buses Instead Of Trains On F Line In Brooklyn

Don't know about you, but the suspension of week-end service of the F and G lines here in Carroll Gardens always seem to come at the most inconvenient times. Of course, buses replace trains to Jay Street, but it certainly makes the trip into the city quite a bit longer.

I must say, though, there were enough buses standing in front of the Jay Street Station on the trip home yesterday.

How about you, dear Reader! Were you inconvenienced by the suspension of F train service this week-end?

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Have Your Say On Transportation Issues At M.T.A. Public Meeting

Next week, Brooklynites will have the opportunity to voice their concerns about the Metropolitan Transportation Authority' proposed cuts to service to both train and bus service around the borough. A Brooklyn MTA meeting will be held on Wednesday next week. Please put it on your calendar.

Below is a letter on this matter from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and James Vacca, Chair of the Transportation Committee

Dear Brooklyn Resident,

In December the MTA unveiled a package of service cuts that is a slap in the face to millions of New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Your borough now faces critical cuts in service that will negatively affect the commutes of thousands of Brooklynites each day. Please click here to sign our petition and oppose these cuts! Also, please attend the MTA's public hearing in Brooklyn next month and let your voice be heard. Details are below:

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

6 p.m.

Brooklyn Museum

Cantor Auditorium

200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn

(To view a list of public hearings in the other boroughs, click here.)

Among the proposed cuts to your borough are:

• Elimination of Student MetroCards
• $40 million in cuts to Access-a-Ride
• Buses to be eliminated: B23, B37, B39, B51, B71, B75, B77, X29, X37 and the X38
• Weekend elimination of the B2, B24, B69, X27 and X28
• The following trains face reduced service, which will result in longer waits and more crowded subway cars: D, F, G, A, L and M trains. The M will be replaced by the V train.

Take Action!

• Help us collect signatures for our petition, which we plan to deliver to each of the MTA's public hearings. You can find our petition online by clicking here.

• Sign up to volunteer! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Nick Rolf at NROLF@council.nyc.gov.

• Urge the MTA to find alternative ways to prevent these terrible cuts. To contact the MTA by phone, dial (212) 878-7483. To contact them by e-mail, click here.

The New York City Council and the Straphangers Campaign have proposed an alternate budget solution that will allow us to avoid these painful service cuts. To read more about our plan click here. Or click here to read our Op-Ed in the Daily News.

With your help we can stop these drastic cuts and ensure greater input from Brooklyn residents in the MTA's budget process.

Sincerely,

Christine C. Quinn

Speaker

New York City Council

James Vacca

Chair, Transportation Committee

New York City Council

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On Friday Morning, Local Elected Officials To Hold Rally To Protect Bus Service

It was exactly a year ago that the Community were fighting to save the B75 bus line. Well, dear Reader, here we are again. This just in from Assemblywoman Joan Millman's office. She is holding a rally this Friday with Council Members Brad Lander and Steve Levin.

Her office writes:

New York State Assemblywoman Joan Millman and New York City Council Members Brad Lander and Steve Levin will hold a rally this Friday morning to protest the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) proposed cuts to local bus lines, including the B37, B71 and B75 buses. Local residents also plan to attend.

“We are urging the MTA to abandon its plans to cut bus service to this neighborhood,” said Millman. “Senior citizens and people with disabilities cannot access subway platforms and would be left out in the cold. Many more rely on these buses to travel to school, work, shopping districts and medical appointments. Ridership on these buses is expected to increase when the MTA closes the Smith-Ninth Street Subway Station later this year.”

Assemblywoman Millman has proposed several sources of potential revenue for the MTA, including re-instituting the commuter tax, estimated to raise $300 million annually in funding. Additionally, Assemblywoman Millman has introduced legislation in Albany to allow New York City to create a residential permit parking system. Revenue from the proposed residential permit parking system would be devoted wholly to bettering public transportation in New York City.

WHAT: Rally to keep full service on the B37, B71 and B75 buses

WHEN: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 9:00 am

WHERE: The corner of Smith and Union Streets in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

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M.T.A. At Work: Carroll Street F Train Station Graffiti Removal Is Pleasant Surprise

Yes, I am down on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority most of the time like everyone else, but today, I was pleasantly surprised to see one of the M.T.A.'s employees removing graffiti from the wall tiles in the Carroll Street Station. I stopped and asked her if I could take her photo, so that I could show the residents of the neighborhood how hard she worked to keep the station graffiti-free. She said yes and happily smiled for my camera.

I, for one, would like to thank her.



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Yankee Victory Parade Traffic Advisory For Friday

Brooklyn -Battery Tunnel 1973
photo credit: The U.S. National Archive

Because of the Yankee Ticker Tape Parade, all hell is going to break out in Downtown Manhattan on Friday morning.
The special traffic advisory below was sent around by Craig Hammerman, District Manager of Community Board 6. Thought you may want to know, dear Reader, before you head that way with your car.

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Fri., 11/6:
9 AM to 3 PM:

Heavy Delays Expected at Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Due to Yankees Victory Parade

*Use Mass Transit If You Can*

The New York Yankees Victory Parade is expected to cause heavy delays for Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel traffic in either direction on Friday, November 6^th from 9 AM until approximately 3 PM. The tunnel will remain open, but delays are expected due to Lower Manhattan street closures in effect for the parade and, of course, the anticipated crowds.

Please use public mass transit if you can. For more information visit: www.mta.info

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Monday Morning F Train Fiasco. Were You Late,Too?

Waiting For The Damn F

Around 9 AM on Monday at the Carroll Street Station

Oh, boy! Were you one of the poor stranded commuters on the Carroll Street platform on Monday morning? I was. I was on my way to an important meeting in downtown Manhattan.
What a scene. With no announcement from the M.T.A., no one knew what was going on.

Only found out later that there was a signal problem between Church Avenue and Borough Hall.

Fun, wasn't it? Were you late for work, dear Reader?





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photo credit: Bob Guskind

What used to be: The 2nd Place Subway Entrance In Carroll Gardens

photo credit: Sam Casalino

The 2nd Place F Train station just a few weeks ago,
surrounded by blue construction fencing.

photo credit: Sam Casalino

The entrance in the process of being demolished

photo credit: Sam Casalino

photo credit: Sam Casalino

It would seem silly to be sad to see a subway entrance torn down, but the one at 2nd Place at the corner of Smith Street was rather special. It had a plaza in front of it, where Carroll Gardeners could wait above ground as the Manhattan bound F and G trains slowly came into the station on the elevated tracks just beyond.
The subway entrance has been closed since the middle of September because of the development at 360 Smith Street by Boom, LLC, which will be built right above. The developer has promised to restore the plaza once construction is completed, but residents will have to wait till the end of 2010.

Local residents are more than a little upset at being inconvenienced. Those who take the train at that end of the neighborhood now have to squeeze through a much smaller entrance across the street. During rush hour, that is not easy. And then, there is the nostalgia for what used to be. Reader Mike expressed his feelings at the loss of the plaza by writing that he was "more upset about this then the loss of Shea Stadium...i'll miss reading my paper glancing up every minute to see if the train is coming in . I've been doing it for 18 years."

Behind the blue construction fence, the station was still visible as of two weeks ago. But friend Sam just sent me the photos above. The entrance has now been completely demolished.
Two of the plaza's trees are still standing, but I am sure their days are numbered.




Related Reading:
Last Glance At Old Carroll Gardens Subway Plaza on Second Place

When Carroll Gardens Commuters Come Home Tonight, The 2nd Place F Train Plaza Will Be Closed

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Thanks To State Senator Squadron, MTA To Review F Train

State Senator Squadron's letter to MTA

State Senator Daniel Squadron certainly deserves thanks for urging the MTA to address the many problems plaguing the F train. The ridership on this line has exploded in recent years. Then there is the problem with deteriorating stations. (9th Street in particular is a nightmare.)
Most importantly, some of the elevated tracks look disastrous.
In an email, Ellen Whelan-Wurst, the Senator's Brooklyn Office Director, writes:

I wanted to let everyone know that thanks to a request made by Senator Daniel Squadron, the MTA has begun a full-scale, comprehensive review of the F train. Senator Squadron reached out to the MTA on this matter after having heard from many constituents about the increasing problems facing F train riders, including delays, crowded trains and poor station conditions. We are happy that the MTA has begun this review, and of course we will share the conclusions as soon as they are released.

Sounds great to me.
And for those who missed it last week, our State Senator got special mention in an editorial in the New York Times.

It is worth noting that the befuddled Democratic majority was nothing to wave the flag about. In many ways, it turned out to be almost as bad as the Republicans who ran the Senate for more than 40 years until January. But some Democrats, like Senator Daniel Squadron of Manhattan, were pushing for real changes that would, for example, have started to clean up the campaign finance system.

Thanks, Senator Squadron!
For related reading go to The Brooklyn Paper

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B75 and Other Bus Routes Could Be History Unless We Speak Up!

At last night's Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association meeting, Gary Reilly, chair of the transportation committee, urged everyone to attend the MTA's public hearing regarding fare increases and service cuts due to budgetary issues.
Amongst the service cuts proposed by the MTA are the elimination of the B37, B51 and B75 bus lines. In addition, service to the B45, B65 ,B69, and B71 bus lines will be severely reduced.

Mr. Reilly stated that " Every bit of the transit going through our neighborhood will be affected. This cuts deep and will hurt everybody."

Assemblywoman Joan Millman is also encouraging the community to speak out at the hearing.
On her literature, she states:

" We cannot deny that these are difficult economic times. However, there is no reason public transportation riders should bear the brunt by paying more for less service. Next week, I will join my colleges in Albany to hear Governor Paterson's 2009 proposal. The financial state of the MTA will be one of the major issues we work with the Governor to address."

Furthermore, her literature states:
Assemblywoman Millman has been a longtime advocate for reinstating the commuter tax. In addition, she plans to reintroduce residential permit parking legislation when the new Assembly session begins in January 2009. She also has joined numerous elected officials to demand greater fiscal accountability for the MTA. For examole, it is believed that the MTA could have sold the Atlantic Yards project for a greater profit.




The hearing in Brooklyn will be on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 at 6pm at theBrooklyn Marriott







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