Changes to the A line and Rockaway Park Shuttle
There will be service changes while the Rockaway Line is rebuilt to protect service from future storms. Here’s what you need to know, thanks to New York City Transit.
Summary of changes
From January 17 to May 2025, there will be changes on the A line and S Rockaway Park Shuttle:
- A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
- S Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run to/from Broad Channel.
- During the first weekend, from January 17-20, Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run at all.
Weekend service changes, January 17-20, 2025
Travel alternatives are different during the first weekend as follows.
From 11:30 p.m. Friday, January 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, January 20:
- A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av.
- A trains will run between Inwood-207 St and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach-JFK Airport.
- S Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run.
- For service to/from affected stations, take free shuttle buses, which will run on three routes:
- Q97 Nonstop between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av.
- Q98 Between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av, making all A stops: Broad Channel, Beach 90 St, Beach 67 St, Beach 60 St, Beach 44 St, Beach 36 St, and Beach 25 St.
- Q121 Between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St, stopping at Broad Channel, Beach 98 St, and Beach 105 St.
Please click here to see a map of Rockaway travel alternatives for January 17-20
Service changes starting January 20, 2025
From 5 a.m. Monday, January 20, until May 2025:
- A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
- A trains will run between Inwood-207 St and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach-JFK Airport.
- S Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run to/from Broad Channel.
For service between Howard Beach-JFK Airport, Broad Channel, and the Rockaway Peninsula, use the following travel alternatives.
Please click here to see a map of Rockaway travel alternatives for January 20 to May 2025
Subway
Free S Rockaway Park Shuttle trains will run between Far Rockaway-Mott Av and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
Bus
Free shuttle buses will run along two routes:
- Q97, nonstop between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Av.
- Q109, between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Beach 67 St, stopping at Broad Channel and Beach 90 St.
Please click here to see the Q97 and Q109 Shuttle Bus routes
Additional bus alternatives are also available. Regular $2.90 local and $7 express bus fares apply for these buses:
- Q52-SBS/Q53-SBS, connecting with Rockaway Blvd A, Woodhaven Blvd J Z, and Woodhaven Blvd M R.
- Q35, connecting with Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College 2 5.
- QM15/QM16/QM17 express buses to/from Manhattan.
- QM16/QM17 buses run on weekdays only.
- Special QM15 Rockaways service runs on weekdays and Saturdays.
- Saturday travel to Manhattan between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. requires a transfer between buses. Take a fare-free QM15 to 157 Av/Cross Bay Blvd for QM15 service to Manhattan.
LIRR
LIRR trains run between Far Rockaway Station and Manhattan or Brooklyn via Jamaica.
During this service change, the fare for the LIRR’s Far Rockaway Ticket has been reduced to $2.75 each way. Far Rockaway Ticket is valid for travel between Far Rockaway and other LIRR stations in New York City.
- Far Rockaway Ticket can only be purchased at Far Rockaway Station, or on the TrainTime app if you share your location with the app to confirm you are near the station.
- If you’re returning the same day, be sure to buy a round trip ticket at Far Rockaway Station, since Far Rockaway Ticket can’t be purchased at other stations.
NYC Ferry
NYC Ferry service runs between Beach 108 St and Pier 11/Wall St.
Accessibility
Far Rockaway-Mott Av, Beach 67 St, Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St, and Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway stations are accessible. The LIRR Far Rockaway Station is also accessible.
Why this work is necessary
The Rockaway Line, which carries the A train and Rockaway Park Shuttle and serves as a vital link between the Rockaway Peninsula and the rest of New York City, suffered extensive damage after Superstorm Sandy.
Emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm. However, the viaducts and bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel need major upgrades to help protect the line from future storms and ensure reliable service for over 9,000 daily riders.
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