Monday, 6 am. I just bought my usual cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts while running to the train station. The Metro Card pretends like it’s not working again. Spilling hot coffee all over myself and holding a jelly donut in my mouth, I am looking for a wallet in the enormous huge backpack I carry.
Yes, I am a commuter on the MTA. Every day I travel on the MTA’s Q train between Queens and Brooklyn, which takes about 3.5 hours of my life each day. After purchasing an entirely new MetroCard, I was about to swipe it as I see a W train sign.
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Wait a second. Did I miss anything? Where did the Q train go?
On November 7, 2016, the W train is coming back to Queens after almost six years due to the Second Avenue subway project. MTA’s W train will run from Astoria, making all local stops in Queens and replacing Q train. The W Train in Manhattan will be similar to R train with the last stop in Whitehall Street. MTA’s W train won’t run on weekends or late nights.
Q train will be redirected along Second Avenue with its starting point at 96th Street, making stops at 86th street, 72nd street and then Lexington Ave – 63rd Street and turns southwest to 57th street, continuing on the Q line.
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For people like me who commute daily and got used to sitting on the Q train from the starting point somewhere in Queens until the end in Brooklyn or backward, it will be a small disappointment. Now you have to switch the trains to connect with Q line. If before some of you enjoyed a nice hour of sleep or even more, it will be hard to get used to a new habit of switching between MTA trains and giving away your nicely warmed up seat to a stranger.
Stay strong Queens and Brooklyn commuters. Changes are always for the best even on the MTA’s varied system of transit options.