What is the current status for promised improved MTA LIRR transit connections to the Islanders Belmont Arena?
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said of the Islanders Belmont Arena, “Now with the addition of the first full-time LIRR train station in almost 50 years, we will provide millions of visitors and fans a fast and affordable way to get there and continue New York’s nation-leading investments in 21st-century transportation infrastructure.”
Clearly, he is not a Long Island resident and never rides the LIRR.
Cuomo claims that it will only cost $105 million to pay for a new full-time Elmont LIRR station on the main line and for the upgrades to the part-time Belmont Park Arena events station. How did he come up with this number? How will the developers’ $97 million share be transferred into the current MTA 2015-2019 or future 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan for LIRR to access these funds?
A reliable cost estimate takes more than just a press release with station renderings prepared by Empire State Development Corporation project consultant.
Anyone in the transit industry knows that customers being asked to pay a premium fare always prefer a one-seat ride. This is what is provided for most who attend events at Madison Square Garden or the Brooklyn Barclays Center.
Why would any Islanders fan from Nassau or Suffolk County want to first drive to a local LIRR station, park their car, board the LIRR (and in some cases have to switch at Huntington, Mineola, Babylon or Ronkonkoma from a diesel to electric train) then board a shuttle bus from the Elmont LIRR station westbound north platform which will not open until 2023.
How will the eastbound south platform be completed in time to coincide with the arena’s October 2021 promised opening date?
Babylon, Speonk, West Hempstead, Long Beach and Far Rockaway branch riders will always have to change at Jamaica and wait for the next eastbound train to reach the new Elmont Station followed by boarding a shuttle bus to reach the arena. Port Jefferson, Huntington, Oyster Bay and Ronkonkoma branch riders will have to do the same until the Elmont Station west bound platform and overpass are completed. Port Washington branch riders have an additional Woodside transfer.
The MTA, LIRR and EDC anticipate 30 percent of event attendees will arrive via LIRR. Imagine thousands of people leaving the arena at the same time all waiting for a shuttle bus for the return trip back to the Elmont LIRR Station.
There appear to be no provisions at the arena for canopies or shelters at bus stops.
There is no way hundreds to several thousand people could all board a series of shuttle buses at the same time. How many buses would be provided and at what frequency? Many could end up waiting between 10 to 30 minutes before boarding.
Why would any fan put up with another 30 minutes or more going to and from the Elmont LIRR Station to the Arena? This, in addition to all the time needed boarding, switching trains and arriving via the LIRR to the Elmont LIRR Station. Due to the excessive travel time from home to Arena via LIRR, I predict only 5 percent of attendees will use the LIRR. This will result in increased local traffic as 95 percent of patrons will elect to drive or taking a car service.
Will the cost for LIRR tickets at the new Elmont Belmont Islanders Arena Station be priced at Zone 3 or more expensive Zone 4?
Will thousands of nearby Queens residents who might use this new LIRR station be offered any weekday Atlantic Pilot or weekend City Zone discount tickets?
Will the Elmont station also include a bus terminal to accommodate NICE, NYC Transit, MTA bus and private bus charter operators for serving the Arena?
There are thousands of reverse-commuters from NYC who travel from either Flushing or Jamaica to jobs or schools in Nassau County via NICE Bus. Using the Metro Card with a free transfer from the NYC Transit subway to NICE Bus, this only costs $2.75. They ride the bus rather than the more expensive LIRR.
The same will be true for many of the promised 3,000 plus jobs at the Islanders arena, hotel, retail, restaurants and conference center, who will be dependent upon bus service to access job opportunities. Many don’t own a car and can’t afford LIRR premium fares.
Taxpayers, commuters, residents and elected officials deserve honest answers to these questions today not tomorrow.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
