Interborough Express Transit between Brooklyn and Queens

Transit between Brooklyn and Queens that does not go through Manhattan has long been a goal of many in Queens, including OANA. More jobs are being created in the outer boroughs, and transit times up to 90 minutes are unacceptable.

While the proposed BQX trolley has, fortunately, bit the dust, a much more viable option, utilizing an existing railbed for service between Bayridge in Brooklyn and Jackson Heights in  Queens is an exciting alternative.

And our Governor, Kathy Hochul, is endorsing the idea.

For more information, please read the article in QNS..

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OANA is happy to support the idea, however with a couple of stipulations that we deem very important.

1. Please extend the service into Astoria, The Ditmars area. We understand the only reason this is not being done is the railbed from Jackson Heights to Astoria is controlled by Amtrack, not the MTA (Who is developing the project). However we urge that negotiations start, and we get our federal representatives involved, to allow use of this stretch to supper Western Queens!

 

2. That Railroad spurs be created to service both LaGuardia Airport and the Jamaica Station with the JFK Airtrain. The airports are Queens largest employers, and it makes no sense not to include the heaviest destination for Queens and Brooklyn residents. Also, removing the need for airline passengers to use automobiles and taxis to reach the airports is environmentally responsible, and must be pursued at all costs. The LGA Airtrain was cancelled for primarily political reasons, and this is an elegant solution.

 

This project may take many years to be realized, and we intend on keeping everyone up to date as much as possible.

 

Map: Courtesy of the MTA