LIRR Neighbors Can Rest Easy

Hush hour on LIRR as horns KOd

Long Island Rail Road officials announced a plan last week to hush the blaring horns of commuter trains traveling throughQueens and on Lo

"I have heard the complaints of our neighbors along the LIRR's right-of-way loud and clear," said LIRR President Helena Williams.

"Now, we are doing something about it."

But local activists said the plan falls short.

Prior to the rule change, which went into effect this month, engineers were told to honk every time they passed through a station, even if it was not a stop on the route. Now, they do not.

Heh I think the train itself makes the most noise but thats just me.

MTA Hands Over Valuable Land in Queens

MTA Hands Over Valuable Real Estate To Spur Jamaica Redevelopment

More stores are on the way for commuters and Jamaica residents, as the MTA announced today that it is leasing some valuable real estate, as part of a plan to spur development in southeast Queens.

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is spear-heading a $12 million project, aimed at bringing more retail and private investment to the neighborhood.

To help the effort, the Long Island Rail Road is relocating its print shop, currently located under the rail road tracks on Sutphin Boulevard, to another Queens location.

The new plans would call for a better-lit underpass and more than 5,000 square feet of retail space.

Currently, the railroad underpass, pictured above, is a dark tunnel across the street from the entrance to the railroad and air train stations.

"Sometimes if you walk underneath here, you can't see the person's face that's coming towards you," said a local.

Supporters say they are especially interested in promoting businesses that cater to both the neighborhood and to LIRR customers.

"We are hoping to do convenience stores that will be helpful to people riding the Long Island Railroad and those in the neighborhood," said Andrew Manshel of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp.

"We service 280,000 customers daily, and many of them come through Jamaica, so additional retail might make this a good stopping off point for them," said Susan McGowan of LIRR.

Construction on the project is set to begin later this year.

This will be beneficial to both the community and to commuters and I give kudos. However I am still skeptical that someone is getting rich on this transaction.

Queens: LIRR Trains Play Tag

LIRR Trains Collide in Queens

LIRR Train Derails at Jamaica Station

NEW YORK (AP) -- Two Long Island Rail Road trains bumped each other at Jamaica Station causing one train to derail and tying up eastbound service for nearly one hour.

None of the 300 passengers on the two trains was injured, said railroad spokeswoman Susan McGowan.

Villarroel said passengers were checked at the platform as they got off the train.

Thankfully no one was killed or injured. I'm sure there will be a few Personal Injury lawsuits coming shortly.

Parking In Bayside Queens: A Rant and Rave

The area on and around Bell Boulevard in Bayside, has been declared by We Light Up Queens as an impossible place to park.

Next to the LIRR train station, thats pretty self explanatory.

On Bell Boulevard? No such luck.

Hmm a Muni-Meter spot is a safe bet right? Think Again.

Ah! Finally a spot on a quiet side street... Oh wait, no parking from 7 Am to 7 PM... F_ _K this I'm going home.

Just in case you all did not already know, parking around Bell Boulevard is nearly impossible during the day. It makes parking in Astoria look easy.