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Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by Gold_12TH on Thu Mar 15 21:53:48 2012

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video: http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/157712/transit--elected-officials-discuss-new-lirr-station-for-elmhurst
Should the Long Island Rail Road build a new station in Elmhurst, Queens? Some residents hope so.

"It's just so much faster than a subway. If you can afford it, it's definitely the way to go," said Elmhurst resident Andrew Ruf.

There was a station in the neighborhood until about 25 years ago, when the LIRR demolished it because few riders used it.

On Thursday, area Congressman Joseph Crowley and City Councilman Daniel Dromm toured the old site with the railroad's president, Helena Williams.

Crowley said the station would allow a shorter commute and more family time for residents.

"It’s not just about getting to and from work. It’s about a better standard of living and a better quality of life," said Crowley.

Census figures show there are 40 percent more people living in Elmhurst than there were when the station closed. Dromm said locals are not happy with the subway service.

"The subway stops are crowded, that often times they have some delays on the subway. they'd like to have another option," said Dromm.

Williams said an Elmhurst station is a possibility.

"We are doing things along the line that gives us the opportunity to add trains, by adding trains it becomes once again feasible to stop trains in the outer boroughs," said Williams.

She said Elmhurst is the only new station the LIRR is considering.

The decision to build the station depends largely on how many riders will use it, so the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is doing a survey to see how many bus, subway and vans riders here would pay more to take the LIRR.

A full-fare ticket from Elmhurst would be $7.25 cents, $5 more than the subway. But the LIRR would get riders into Manhattan 25 minutes faster and eventually all the way to Grand Central Terminal, once the East Side Access project is completed.

"It's worth it because time is money," said an Elmhurst resident.

MTA officials say the new station would cost between $20 million to $30 million.




Lawmakers are urging the Long Island Rail Road to reopen a long-shuttered station in Elmhurst to accommodate the area’s burgeoning population.

And in a departure from the usual resistance to costly projects, LIRR officials said they are seriously considering the idea.

“This station needs to be restored,” Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx) said at a news conference Thursday.

It “will improve the property values” of nearby homes, said Crowley, who has been spearheading the push. “It will improve the living standards of the people of this community.”

A town hall meeting on the issue is slated for 6 p.m. on April 11 at St. James Church. LIRR officials are expected to attend.

Riders catching an LIRR train from Elmhurst would arrive in Manhattan within 15 minutes, officials said. The subways — which are crowded during rush hours — usually take 35 to 40 minutes.

“Elmhurst deserves this rail road station,” said City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). “People have asked me if we can reopen this.”

The Elmhurst stop was closed in 1985 due to low ridership, an LIRR official said. But Port Washington line trains still zoom through the station on the way to Manhattan.

“Elmhurst is for the first time in over 20 years a feasible location for us,” said LIRR President Helena Williams, who also attended Thursday’s news conference. “This is a growing community and we want to make sure we’re being responsive.”

Reopening the grimy station would cost the agency a minimum of $20 million, she said. The price tag would rise to $30 million if elevators are installed.

It would also cost riders significantly more than a $2.25 subway fare or a $104 monthly MetroCard. LIRR tickets go for $7.25 during peak hours or $5 during off-peak times, Williams said. Monthly passes are $163.

Rosemarie Daraio, president of the civic group Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together, said she doesn’t believe the price would dissuade potential riders.

“By the time the buses and trains get to our area, they’re packed,” Daraio said. “You may have people that would prefer to pay a little extra for the convenience of taking the railroad.”

Robert Valdes-Clausell, director of the Newtown Civic Association, said his group asked the LIRR to extend the station’s platform to Queens Blvd. — which is only a few blocks from the old stop (Broadway and Whitney Avenue).

“It’s a fantastic idea,” he said of reopening the station.

--- http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/queens-lawmakers-urge-lirr-reopen-elmhurst-station-article-1.1039878#ixzz1pEy6m7Nv

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by andy on Fri Mar 16 12:12:08 2012, in response to Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by Gold_12TH on Thu Mar 15 21:53:48 2012.

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Another dumb idea from the mouths of politicians looking for votes. The same politicians who will later vote to reduce MTA funds. As a new station it will need elevators for ADA access, an additional matintenance item. Need to made Citi Field and Flushing LIRR stations accessible before building this useless station.

This station will serve fewer than 100 people per day. The 63rd Street tunnel and V/M trains significantly added subway service to this area.

No need to slow down LIRR trains going through Elmhurst. A Queens Blvd. location is too close to Woodside, anyway.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by The Silence on Fri Mar 16 12:55:21 2012, in response to Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by Gold_12TH on Thu Mar 15 21:53:48 2012.

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yes, it will shorten comutes and result in "more family time", for Elmhurst residents, meanwhile it will slow everyone else down.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by Wado MP73 on Sat Mar 17 00:22:21 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by The Silence on Fri Mar 16 12:55:21 2012.

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That's not the real issue. The slow down is minimal for anyone further out. It's more about how it won't really save much time for people living in Elmhurst compared to the subway, depending on where you actually live and where your workplace is.

Who'd really save 25 minutes?

Even a Flushing - Manhattan trip doesn't save much time by using the LIRR over the 7 local. Just comfort.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by merrick1 on Sat Mar 17 12:57:44 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by andy on Fri Mar 16 12:12:08 2012.

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Are you saying that politicians elected by the voters should not make policy decisions for a government agency? That is what democratic government is about.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by andy on Sat Mar 17 14:22:47 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by andy on Fri Mar 16 12:12:08 2012.

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I'm saying that Elmhurst station is a non-issue that politicians make into an issue because they think it will get them votes. Building this station will cost multi-million $$ that the MTA doesn't have. The construction will trigger all kinds of ADA requirements (read: elevators) and associated maintenance and security costs. The Queens Blvd. IND got a significant increase in Manhattan-bound service when the 63rd St. Tunnel connection opened ten years ago and inaugurated the V (now M) service.

The old LIRR station had less than 100 Manhattan-Queens customers when it closed, at a time when subway service was far worse than now. I repeat that there's no reason to spend $$ on a new Elmhurst Station when the Port Washington Branch has some real capital needs such as making the Citi Field and Main Street Flushing stations accessible. There is no need for a person to transfer between the LIRR and subway at Elmhurst when it can be done already at Jamaica, Forest Hills, or Woodside.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by Edwards! on Sat Mar 17 22:19:49 2012, in response to Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by Gold_12TH on Thu Mar 15 21:53:48 2012.

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This is dumb...

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by NIMBYkiller on Sun Mar 18 14:43:14 2012, in response to Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by Gold_12TH on Thu Mar 15 21:53:48 2012.

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I doubt many people would actually use this station for traveling into the city, but I could definitely see it being used for reverse commuting.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by italianstallion on Sun Mar 18 15:33:55 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by NIMBYkiller on Sun Mar 18 14:43:14 2012.

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A monthly within Zone 1 costs $163.00. At 21 working days a month, that comes to <$8 a day, or <$4 a trip. For many people, that would not be so much over the subway fare to pay for more comfort and speed. Many riders pay more than $4 for express buses, for instance.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by Gold_12TH on Sun Mar 18 15:36:38 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by italianstallion on Sun Mar 18 15:33:55 2012.

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$5.50 NYC Express bus ride fare.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by italianstallion on Sun Mar 18 15:43:27 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by Gold_12TH on Sun Mar 18 15:36:38 2012.

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Exactly. Makes $4 seem like a bargain.

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Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video

Posted by Henry R32 #3730 on Sun Mar 18 21:57:41 2012, in response to Re: Transit, Elected Officials Discuss New LIRR Station For Elmhurst , video, posted by NIMBYkiller on Sun Mar 18 14:43:14 2012.

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I could see it being popular for CityTicket if they ever restore Weekend Port Washington service to its rightful 2TPH.

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