Schumer, Goldfeder, Richards Urge US Coast Guard & MTA To Consider Extending Right-Of-Way Peak Hours For Trains Along Rockaway's Channel Rail Bridge; Would Help Prevent Delays Along 'A' Train By Limiting Bridge Lift Times That Often Disrupt Rush Hour Commutes For Passengers

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder and Councilman Donovan Richards today called on the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the U.S. Coast Guard to investigate train and maritime travel on the Beach Channel Rail Bridge and consider extending right-of-way train times for commuters commuting during the rush hours. The Beach Channel Rail Bridge is located between the Rockaway Peninsula and Subway Islands in Jamaica Bay. The bridge is raised at designated times to allow maritime traffic to travel along the waterway. At all other times, the MTA New York City Transit A-Trains pass over the bridge to provide travel options for commuters in southern Queens and Rockaway.

The federal government designates travel times for water crafts and trains. Between the hours of 6:45 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. and between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Monday through Friday, train traffic has the right-of-way. At most other times, priority is given to water crafts. In 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard approved these travel times to be considerate of New York City commuters during rush hours, while still allowing for effective navigation by water crafts. Given the distance that most commuters must travel on a daily basis and the limited transportation options that they have, the right-of-way travel times do not satisfy their needs. Many constituents have voiced their concerns and said that the peak hours determined by the U.S. Coast Guard are not accurate portrayals of their daily commutes. Schumer, Goldfeder and Richards are asking that the right-of-way travel times for trains be further extended to reduce train delays and to ease their travel burden.

"The daily commute is enough of a struggle for residents of southern Queens and Rockaway," said Schumer. "We make it even more difficult when we use inaccurate travel times to determine who has the right-of-way. If we can bridge this gap of knowledge, we can ease the travel burden for commuters and it can be smooth sailing for water crafts and trains through the Beach Channel Rail Bridge."

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