Details on the suspended weekend 7 train service from Queensboro Plaza into the city, winter 2013

Image source: freezr on Flickr

We’ve pointed out that 7 train service is scheduled to be suspended during the weekends of Lunar New Year festivities in February (though that may change, depending on the outcome of the talks coming up), but we thought we’d lay out the actual schedule of the suspensions, which start this coming weekend.

On the following weekends there is no 7 train service from Queensboro Plaza to Times Square. The suspension happens each of these weekends, starting at 11:45pm on Fridays and ending on 5am on Mondays.

December:  28-31
January:  4-7 , 11-14, 18-21, 25-28
February: 1-4, 8-11, 15-19**, 22-25
March:  1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25

** Note that this is a longer period of suspension that continues through President’s Day. Service resumes Tuesday, February 19 at 5am.

Lunar New Year celebrations in Flushing are scheduled for Sunday, February 10 and Saturday February 16 – there is a chance that service will be reinstated those two days, as mentioned above. We’ll keep an eye on it.

For those that need to travel within LIC between Queensboro Plaza and Vernon-Jackson (hitting Court Square and Hunters Point stations in between), there is a free shuttle bus that will be running. And to tell you the truth – we’ve taken it many times and it’s really OK. It’s just that you can’t use it to get into the city. You can get into the city, though, via the N/Q at Queensboro Plaza, and the E/R at Queens Plaza. There’s also the F train at 21st Street/Queensbridge.

As another consolation, the MTA will extend Q service to Ditmars Blvd on Saturdays from 7am-9pm and on Sundays from 9am-7pm.

A few weeks ago we told you why they are suspending service on the weekends:

So what are they doing in the Steinway Tunnel? They are working on the construction of signal relay rooms (AKA signal upgrades) and demolishing a benchwall (this is a structure that houses electrical cables and used by employees when walking along the tracks) and building a new one that is safer for employees.

Additionally, they are doing Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) installation during these 13 weekends. It should add more reliable and frequent service, as well as provide countdown clocks at stations along the line.

UPDATE: Some local officials are seriously displeased with this plan by the MTA to suspend service for 13 weekends. City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, along with business owners held a press conference this morning at 10am to protest these suspensions. Here’s a photo from the event, at the corner of Vernon Blvd and 50th Ave.

Image source: @JimmyVanBramer

He said on his twitter feed, “13 straight weekends of #7train work means businesses & cultural orgs will be crippled in 1St quarter of 2013 #MTA #LIC pic.twitter.com/YixBRVkz”

7 train weekend service to be suspended during the Lunar New Year celebration in Flushing [QNYC]
Update: Flushing leaders and MTA to discuss weekend 7 train suspensions and the Lunar New Year [QNYC]
Update & Service Changes Winter 2012-13 [MTA]