CBTC lines perform better
Once CBTC is activated, the Queens Boulevard Line will join the and trains with the technology. CBTC came to the line in November 2018 and since implementation, customers have experience vast improvements in their train service.
Weekday on-time performance rose from 68.1% in 2018 to 90.5% in 2019. Compared to before CBTC, trains run 7.8% faster on the local track and 13.5% faster on the express track.
Finishing CBTC on the Queens Boulevard Line
Currently, CBTC is in operation from Kew Gardens Station to 71st St – Forest Hills on all tracks, 71st St. –Forest Hills to Roosevelt Ave. on the express tracks and from 23rd Ely to 50th St. 8th Ave. on the Express tracks.
We’re finalizing a plan to finish construction and activate the new signaling system. The new system will substantially improve to service on the . But a few last items of work remain, including fine tuning the new signals and enhancing the power system that delivers current to the third rail. More power means we can run more trains per hour to take advantage of the benefits CBTC provides.
This work requires us to have access to the tracks, which results in changes to subway service (more on that below). Incidentally, we’ll be making the most of these outages by using the time to upgrade the tunnel pumping systems in the 53rd St Tunnel that carries and trains, to better protect it even in the most severe storms.
To make this final push, we will need to make temporary changes to subway service. These changes will range from trains rerouted between local and express tracks to complete shutdowns of entire segments of the line.
Most of these changes will occur on nights and/or on weekends. There will also be an extended outage on the Queens Blvd Line corridor between 71st St Forest Hills and Queens Plaza. This will occur during Memorial Day weekend, June 26th & 27th weekend, July 4th Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend. We are taking advantage of historically low ridership to get this work done with minimal impacts to our customers, and so customers can benefit from CBTC.
We have been working to install a new, modern signaling system on much of the lines in Queens since 2017. When completed, this Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system will allow us to run more frequent and reliable service through the Queens Boulevard corridor.
CBTC uses radio communications to constantly connect our trains and the signal system so service is managed dynamically by a computer system. This means trains can safely run more closely together, more efficiently, and service will improve.
Stay updated:
Use the MYmta app or visit our homepage to plan your trip. Look for posted signs at affected stations and along the lines. Sign up for e-alerts at My MTA Alerts. Visit our planned service changes page for the most up-to-date planned service change information.