Service Changes to Accommodate Rockaway Resiliency Project Begin Jan. 17

Free Shuttle Buses Serving Two Routes to The Rockaways

Free Rockaway Subway Shuttle Extended To Serve All Stations on Peninsula

Heavily Discounted LIRR Fares at Far Rockaway Station - $2.75 each way

Enhanced QM15, QM16, QM17 Bus Service

Estimated $400 Million Investment in Rockaways Service Reliability

Customers Can Stay Updated on Latest Service Via Newsletter

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is reminding customers of upcoming service changes beginning Jan. 17 to accommodate intensive structural rehabilitation on the ​ line between Howard Beach and Rockaway Peninsula. Fully rebuilding sections of the elevated track and other critical infrastructure requires a 17-week ​ train outage, during which riders will have an increased number of service alternatives, including free shuttle buses, enhanced service on QM15, QM16, and QM17 bus routes, steep discounts on fares at the Long Island Rail Road's Far Rockaway Station, and a fare-free shuttle train extended to serve all stations on the peninsula between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park. Rockaway residents can ride the LIRR from Far Rockaway for $2.75 each way. Round trip tickets can be purchased at the Far Rockaway station.

"New York City Transit is prepared to get Rockaway riders where they need to go with clear messaging, robust bus service, and fare free shuttles," said Rockaways Service Lead Hugo Zamora. "And riders can trust that I'll remain laser focused on delivering reliable alternative service they can count on for the entirety of this project."

Service Alternatives to Rockaway Peninsula 

For approximately four months, beginning Jan. 17 - ​​ trains will not run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport, Far Rockaway-Mott Av and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St. Additionally, ​ Rockaway Park Shuttle trains will not run to or from Broad Channel.  

During this time free shuttle bus service will be available to riders along two routes. The Q97 will run non-stop between Howard Beach and Far Rockaway via Nassau Expressway. The Q109 will run from Howard Beach to Beach 67 St via Broad Channel and Beach 90 St. 

Select QM15 express buses will be extended to Arverne and will make QM17 stops beyond their regular terminus in Howard Beach. The QM15 will continue to make all regular stops in Queens and Manhattan.

The QM16 (western Rockaway/Broad Channel) and the QM17 (eastern Rockaway/Broad Channel) express buses will each add one peak roundtrip during this time. The regular $7 express bus fare will be charged on the QM15, QM16 and QM17. Customers are advised to use the "plan trip" feature on the MTA app, or mta.info and refer to bus schedules to plan trips.

LIRR will offer steep discounts for trips at Far Rockaway Station on the Far Rockaway Branch, bringing the cost of a ride to $2.75, less than the cost of a subway ride. Customers are reminded the Far Rockaway Branch provides connections to Atlantic Terminal, Penn Station and Grand Central Madison.  

Starting Monday, Jan. 20, a fare-free ​ shuttle train will operate, serving all stations on the peninsula between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park for the duration of the outage. (For the weekend of Jan. 17-20, free shuttle buses will serve all stations on the peninsula. Click here for details.)

Following a successful summer managing service and customer communications during a six-week service change on the ​​ train, Hugo Zamora has been appointed the lead of the ​​ train service changes. Zamora will monitor deployment of shuttle buses and make real-time service adjustments to accommodate customer demand. He will also oversee communicating service changes to customers, including deploying customer service staff to needed areas and ensuring clear signage is maintained at affected areas. 

Click here to see more details on service changes on the ​​A line and Rockaway Park ​​ in 2025. Customers can sign up for a newsletter to stay up to date on the latest service information, progress on construction and more.

The Rockaway Line Rehabilitation & Resiliency Project 

The Rockaway Line, which carries the ​​​ train and Rockaway Park Shuttle and serves as a vital link between the Rockaway Peninsula and the rest of New York City, experienced extensive damage after Superstorm Sandy. While emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm, Hammels Wye Viaduct and South Channel Bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel require extensive rehabilitation and repair work to ensure these structures withstand future extreme weather events.