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Ned, you usually make a lot of sense, but I think you are overreacting here.
An additional seven minutes, is not going to make most people go ballastic. As someone who rides these lines everyday, and as someone who is one of the vanishing natives from these parts, the clientele that rides the line from its’ southern end, are an easy to please lot, who I observe go with the flow, and compared to where they are from, despite the delays, our part of the world is Paradise to most of them, and will continue to be. Patience is a virtue, and at the end of all this, the enhanced stations will only be a continued enticement, to bring more people to Sheepshead Bay and its’ environments. In fact, as previously noted, we are beginning to see, honest to goodness, native born American yuppies, settling in the bay area, when they see, that hey, the Bay, in many ways, has a lot more going for it, than media hyped Park Slope and Williamsburg areas. Sheepshead Bay and it’s environs will continue to boom, for a variety of sound, lifestyle reasons. The question is can we maintain the growth, and keep the positive aquatic lifestyle, at the same time! PS Many of us are more intrigued that you haven’t started any comment thread, about the latest shenanigan’s our Syrian friends ( who with their expansion from OP, have been another, though small reason for the Bay’s boom, though not surprising to some of us!) have been up to?!

I don’t rely on those train so this hardly affects me, but that has never stopped me from throwing my hat in the ring. I can understand the frustration with the change. However, it seems more like a temporary inconvenience than a total screw-over by the MTA. After all, the re-routing is only being done to allow improvements to be made elsewhere on the line. It should be a positive thing when all is said and done, and help the local economy and businesses. Many cities are not or cannot even invest in rebuilding the infrastructure, so I suppose it can be seen in that light as well.

As strapped as NY commuters are for time, the extra seven minutes and additional stops should be adapted to relatively easy despite the annoyance of it all. I totally agree however on the time frame projected to complete all the work. Two years is a long time for a project that is worked on daily. There should be a better method as Ned suggested. Shutting down the whole stretch for the duration seems unnecessary when stations can be worked on individually leaving only minor re-routes to deal with.

Oh, I forgot I wanted to give props to ajohn1992a for taking a really cool train picture.

ANT

Vito: I don’t think this is an overreaction. Maybe if this was 10 years ago, and we hadn’t been beaten over the head with failure and abuse after failure and abuse on the part of the MTA you could say that. But after all that has passed in recent history, it’s starting to smell a lot like bullshit.

First of all is the 7 minute projection. Taking the Q to midtown as opposed to the B adds a hell of a lot more time than 7 minutes. I’d say it’s closer to 15 or 20. And when you’re adding that on to a 30 minute commute, it really does make a difference. I already know people who were considering a move to Sheepshead Bay and are now thinking it over because of this news. Some people just dont want to spend more time riding the rails than 30 minutes – and I don’t blame them.

I’m not against improving those stations. But I think more creative solutions can be employed to ensure continued service for at least parts of those 2 years.

In truth, Vido, I think you’re making Sheepshead sound too idyllic. Im one of the vanishing natives, too, and I’ve put in my years riding those lines daily, but I don’t think there are people looking to move to Sheepshead because it’s “Paradise” compared to where they’re from. They’re looking to move here because it’s cheap rent within a reasonable commute and it’s safe. Not all – for sure – but a lot. And considering we’re already seeing problems filling a lot of the new housing in the area, my concern is that making that reasonable commute a little less reasonable will leave us all paying the price tag.

But really – when you boil it down – what I’m most enraged about is the way the MTA does this. Usually, when it involves schools, parks, zoning – whatever – the city can’t so much as fart without having a public hearing on it. People in the community get to give input. With the MTA we’re consistently shut out. Every time. We should have the ability to voice our opinions and hold agency officials responsible, but we’re denied that. The MTA dictates, and we suck it up. That’s just not fair, and it needs to end.

I guess what Ned is getting at is a matter of trust. From the same article:

“In other news, the overhaul of the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station won’t wrap up until March 2010, nine months past schedule, according to the MTA’s independent engineer. The $106 million project, begun in 2005, is also expected to come in $14 million over budget.”

Station maintenance and repair is needed but who is to say the MTA is doing the best job possible?

If construction has to happen, it’s too bad there wasn’t a way to do it without affecting the express service in the morning rush hours. The express B train makes the commute a little less tedious.

Constant stops usually mean excess delays at each stop, due to traffic and passengers trying to squeeze on. Actually, the local is only a few extra stops, but it makes a big difference in the overall commute. Plus, the other thing is the direct route to Manhattan using another line — that gives people more options for transfers. Imagine having to make the same connections using the Q train.

I guess we just have to roll with the punches and keep going. As for me, my job with Sheepshead Bites means I can roll on my Razor Scooter — largely avoiding the daily commute to Manhattan. Don’t you all feel jealous?

Welcome to the Neck Road and Avenue U resident’s hellish world. This is a daily torment, especially coming home from a full day of work with the station renovations. The MTA doesn’t make it any easier either. For the Avenue U and Neck Road stops, they state inaudible over speakers to take train to Sheepshead Bay and go to Manhanttan bound side. Mind you when you arrive at Bay Road, you run like a maniac to catch a train on the other side…just to have the train pull out of station! It would make sense for the trains heading back to Neck Road/Avenue U to wait a minute for passengers to pass under tracks but of course not! Even better, why wouldn’t they have the B going local until Kings Highway to make up for lack of service?! I can’t stand it. ON TOP OF IT ALL THE FARE IS RAISED.

Looking at the “construction” at Neck Road and Avenue U stations I hardly see much of a difference at all yet. I rarely see anyone working at those sites. So it’s no wonder its going to take two years. I’ll guess that the situation will be similar with this project. If the worked a full schedule they could probably get this done within 6 months.

It’s quite ridiculous.

As a teacher in the area who has lived in Sheepshead and also in Manhattan/Trendy areas of Brooklyn (Yes, I don’t dress it or drink loads of coffee get drunk every night, but I guess I’m a yuppie if you include public employees), this makes me MAD. I’d use other words, but since I gave myself away as a teacher I won’t.

In response to the other posts, yuppies (who despite their annoying habits have a lot of disposable income), have never viewed Sheepshead Bay as trendy in my six years of living in New York/Manhattan/Brooklyn.

And the Russian and Chinese usually run off to Manhattan Beach or Bensonhurst respectively once they accumulate enough wealth.

Finally, I think this is just another abuse of the MTA thinking that Sheepshead residents will continue to take it (as opposed to Park Slope, Williamsburg, or other “trendy” areas south of Downtown Brooklyn.

As someone who has made a reverse commute from Manhattan to Sheepshead for the last two years (and as of this week will once again be a Sheepshead resident) their is NO WAY IT ONLY ADDS 7 MINUTES. Local service with two trains on the same track will increase wait times, train traffic, etc. In my estimation this is AT LEAST ANOTHER 25 MINUTES added onto a one-way trip into Manhattan.

It’s irritating for me, who will be visiting friends elsewhere and will definitely have an effect of any friends wanted to trek out to Sheepshead from other areas of Brooklyn/NYC to want to visit me. This will also definitely have a negative effect on the local economy whether it be the trendier stores opening near the Sheepshead train station, local landlords tryinig to rent out their property, or even people (I know of it to be true of teachers) wanting to work in Sheepshead who live in other areas.

I second the call to action in calling the MTA, local leaders, and elected officials. This is a disgrace to Sheepshead. And if we “take it”, we will be just fulfilling the expectations of the MTA’s and city’s managers.

There’s not much any of us can do at the matter, I realize how much furstration this causes and for myself especially having to wake up early or wait the extra time to commute.. Truth be told, there’s nothing that will stop the MTA bigwigs from running the way we commute, their way. I suggest we suck it up and learn to adapt, this is just one of many upcoming changes that will affect the way we live our day to day lives. I think it’ll only matter as long as we’re not used to it, let them rehab the B/Q lines, time will fly by quick enough. I am really curious what will be the “new and improved” train stops will be like, and how much of a dissapointment we’re in for.

From what I heard and read, they will be adding elevators to the station. Whoopie.

Ilan: That’s exactly the kind of attitude that lets this crap fly by. Maybe a year ago I thought that way too, but I’ve discovered in my time running this site just how much your local city councilmen, state senators and community board can do if enough people flood them with comments. Look at the HLA-Marine Park JHS issue, or the library funding cuts (which were ultimately blocked by city council), or Lundys Cherry Hill (well, they didnt do anything in favor of the public, but for whatever reason, they got the DoB to act on their behalf). Basically, I’ve found that the city’s bureaucratic machine runs on autopilot – and runs people over – until the people hit up their representatives to flip the switch to manual. So email the people listed above, and demand them to halt this.

its projected to last 2 years, but i wouldn’t be surprised if it lasts longer. if this was contracted to a private company it would have been done in few months time. MTA is one of the most incompetent businesses besides the US Post Office. Which business has more customers then the MTA? Everyday the trains and buses are filled to max capacity by paying customers yet they need to raise the fare because they are out of money… what a crock of shit! As far as the sheepshead bay post office… it has got to be the worst branch in the country.

sheepshead bay use to be a fun place to live. now this place has too many people and cars. the area is also over built. there are also too many dog shit. i can only sense that nudy bars and hoes will be moving in soon. although that is not a bad thing since hoes need love too. anyway, i am packing my stuff and moving to manhattan.

You all criticize the MTA plan. I bet you could not do any better. How many of you are aware of the planning that has to be done before these stations can be renovated. Do you realize a lot of time and effort and planning was done before the MTA came up with this plan? Go ahead you come up with a better plan. I guarantee you can’t. You should be happy they don’t shut the entire line down during construction and send you over to the Culver line. It would be a lot easier.

I’ve sent emails to all the folks listed – I hope it helps. This is going to make me move out of the area; my commute to King’s Highway is long and frustrating enough for where it is, but no way am I spending what I spend on rent and staying in the area when there are spots in North Brooklyn nearer the center of things with a less aggravating commute.

Senator Golden has asked that I share the letter he has sent to the MTA with you.

August 10, 2009

President Howard H. Roberts Jr.
MTA New York City Transit
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

Dear President Roberts, Jr.,

The recent news of the cuts in service on the B line for two years has caused great concern and disappointment within my district. I have seen complaints on the local blogs and have received them at my office as well. I hope that we will be able to work together to accommodate the riders of this line. While they are thankful to have the repairs take place, the everyday necessity of their commute continues to exist, and the extreme nature of these cuts is causing a major disturbance.

I ask that you consider the possibilities available before making such a cut that will severely inconvenience thousands of riders. Making express service possible during rush hours is the best way to calm the concerns of the people. Two years is too long to deny the residents a service they count on and continually pay into! I sincerely urge you to find a middle ground so that the MTA and the commuters on the Brighton line can both benefit.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further please contact my Director of Community Affairs, Joan Byrnes at 718-238-6044 or jbyrnes@senate.state.ny.us. I remain,

Sincerely Yours,

Martin J. Golden

I just heard this news from a random straphanger last week. I tried calling the MTA to confirm this because I didn’t know if it was true (the guy seemed like a rambling loon), and the CSR told me she had no news of this. WTF?

Anyway, this makes a huge impact on my commute . . . I think people might downplay the commute time difference, and yes I’m sure I’ll adapt, but this sure does make it a whole lot more difficult.

The MTA has already lied about when the B Express service would end. It ended yesterday, September 14th. There was no express service either yesterday morning or evening and the same thing happened today. My usual 50 minute trip from Brighton Beach station to Rockefeller Center has now become an 80 minute trip. Not to mention that the trains seem even more packed then usual. Thanks for the links to state senators, assemblymen and community board people, as well as the MTA complaint form. I’ve written to all of them and complained (although knowing the MTA, it’s going to fall on deaf ears).

okay. I understand that they need to make repairs. I also understand that there will be an inconvenience for us in order to make the stations better. Fine. Fine. But is it really absolutely necessary to disrupt the commute to this degree? I simply don’t believe that there isn’t a more convenient route they can take.

Also, the timing of these repairs is terrible. We just got slapped with the raise and we feel like we are seeing LESS and paying MORE!

Side note about the elevators. It is a nice gesture that the MTA is making for the crippled but the truth is that these elevators are going to be full of piss and shit AND will be out of service most of the time.

To add to what I said above. They can raise the fair to $3.00 or even $4.00 and we can’t do shit. We are at their mercy… completely. There is no competition for them. I think that’s whats pissing everyone off. The fact that we really can’t do anything. We can write to these people all we want but fact is, THEY DON’T TAKE TRAINS.

I know this is a bit off topic but my kid is supposed to start taking the B train and I am not clear if it always stops at Grand Street in Manhattan manhattan bound from 7th ave in Park Slope. If someone could let me know I would greatly appreciate it (and sleep better!) Thanks

Grand Street is a full time station on the B line.

The elevators aren’t a “nice gesture” they are a federal (ADA) requirement.

Thank you so much Lisanne!