Rockaway Peninsula Customers Granted Temporary Changes to Ease Transfers

 Transfer Period Extended to 3 Hours in Some Cases 

In order to make traveling easier for riders between the Queens “mainland” and the Rockaway Peninsula, MTA Bus Company, New York City Transit and Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) have made the necessary software changes to allow three legged (one-fare) transfers and a three-hour transfer period between some buses and subways. 

Since Superstorm Sandy destroyed the A line connection to the Rockaway Peninsula, the MTA has provided free shuttle buses between the Howard Beach A station and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue A station.

In addition, a free H shuttle train service was implemented between the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue and Beach 90th Street stations. 

Despite these two free services, many riders found themselves paying two fares because by the time a subway rider swiped onto a peninsula bus, more than the approximate two hour-transfer period had elapsed.

"The Rockaway peninsula was among the hardest hit areas in the region and we know that it will not be business as usual for some time to come. We hope that temporarily amending the transfer policy will make it easier to get around and make the trip more convenient for commuters," Governor Cuomo said.

Beginning this week, the transfer period for transfers from any subway station to the Q22, Q113, N31, N32 and N33 bus routes has been extended to three hours.

Also, three legged (one fare) transfers are now allowed on the following trips in both directions: Flatbush Avenue-Brooklyn college 2,5 station/to the Q35/to the Q22, and Rockaway Boulevard A station/to the Q52 or Q53/to the Q22.

These changes will remain in place until normal A service to the Rockaways is completely restored, which is currently estimated to be an extended period of time.

Image courtesy of http://forgotten-ny.com.