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QUEENS WEEKLY, DEC. 9, 2018
7 line improvements cause headaches for Queens commuters
CARNEGIE HALL PRESENTS UNIQUE MULTIMEDIA SHOW
CARMINA BURANA BY CARL ORFF
Bolshoi Symphonic Orchestra of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Yurlov Capella Choir, Soloists
of Bolshoi Theater, Conductor Jan Latham-Koenig (UK), Director Igor Ushakov (Bolshoi Theatre Russia)
December 29TH 8PM
Bolshoi Theater soloists Anna Aglatova, Stanislav Mostovoy, and Vasiliy Laduk sing with Yurlov Capella Choir and
Bolshoi Symphonic Orchestra of Moscow Conservatory. Inspired by Medieval poetry, Carl Orff wrote his cantata Carmina
Burana. To emphasize the power of this work and its philosophical and emotional meaning, the music will be accompanied
by visual effects, including laser projections of art masterpieces housed in Russian museums from the Middle Ages.
57TH STREET & 7TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY
212-375-3649 WWW.CARNEGIEHALL.ORG
BY MARK HALLUM
Commuters on the 7
train in Queens and Manhattan
experienced a series
of setback during the
first week of communications
based train control,
a digital signal system
which replaced the analog
technology.
The Metropolitan
Transportation Authority
celebrated the official
rollout of the “milestone”
installation on Nov. 26,
but by around 4 p.m., delays
struck seeing service
suspended between
Queensborough Plaza
and Grand Central. Similar
service disruptions
related to signal trouble
would occur in the days
that followed.
But the MTA said it is
not unusual for there to
be setbacks when installing
new technology and
that CBTC on the L train
needed similar time for
configuration.
“The new signal system
was put in operation
throughout the 7 line this
week — we’re working
daily to iron out issues
and will be working with
the supplier over the next
few weeks to optimize the
system and do other signal
work on the line to complete
the transition,” an
MTA spokesman said. “We
thank our customers for
their patience — once the
system is stabilized they
will enjoy the enhanced
reliability and, eventually,
increased train frequencies
that CBTC signaling
allows, as currently seen
on the L line.”
Tuesday’s evening
commute (Nov. 27) saw a
passenger injured on the
tracks at Willets Point and
wait times for trains at the
Woodside station were between
20 and 30 minutes
with limited service to express
stops only.
On Wednesday, Nov.
28, was suspended between
Willets Point and
74th Street throughout
the entire evening rush
hour with commuters
encouraged to take the
E, F, M and R train as alternatives
from Jackson
Heights.
During Thursday morning’s
(Nov. 29) commute, the
connectivity issues caused
stalls to Hudson Yardsbound
trains while the platforms
at the Flushing-Main
Street Station offered no additional
places for commuters
to stand while waiting
for trains to arrive.
Multiple people took to
the Facebook group, 7 Train
Blues, to air their grievances
by posting photos of
the platforms in Flushing
claiming they would need
to use the pricier option of
the LIRR as an alternative
to get to work on time.
While Friday morning,
congestion in train cars that
some customers were spotted
riding between cars.
“Finally got on the third
7 train, but had to get off at
74th and transfer to an R,”
Alexis Kaloyanides wrote
on Facebook. “7 train is so
delayed and overcrowded
that some straphangers are
riding outside the cars!”
The MTA further pointed
out that although the L
train went through similar
issues as the kinks were
worked out in the CBTC
system, that line is currently
the most reliable
and on time.
With L train set for a 15
month partial shutdown
to make overhauls to the
Canarsie Tunnel from Hurricane
Sandy related damage,
however, the 7 train is
anticipated to take on some
of the burden of displaced
Brooklyn riders commuting
to Manhattan.
CBTC allows the MTA
to add 14 trains to the 7
line to accommodate the
approximately 250,000
Brooklyn riders.
But the 7 train will not
be the only one picking up
the slack.
The M train will have
weekend and overnight
service expanded, according
to the MTA, affording
people in Middle Village
a path into lower Manhattan
and extending the line
from its usual terminus at
Essex Street to 96th Street
in the Upper West Side.
Reach reporter Mark
Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@
cnglocal.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4564.
Photo by Mark Hallum
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