A Regional Plan Association analysis shows that Brookfield Properties’ proposal to run LIRR trains from Jamaica to lower Manhattan would shave only a few minutes off of typical commute times.The data led the Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown, a coalition of over 75 business and civic groups, to resolve its opposition to the Brookfield plan.

In order to provide the one-seat ride from Jamaica Station to a downtown transportation hub, over 100,000 city subway riders would be displaced to benefit only a few thousand LIRR riders.On the route, LIRR trains would us A/C subway tracks, disrupting C, F and V train routes (MTR #355).

In addition to benefiting few riders, the RPA study shows that the proposal would bring many riders too far from their final destinations to provide large time savings.A whopping two-thirds of LIRR riders on the route would save three minutes or less. One-fourth would save five minutes or more.Commuters heading to destinations near the downtown hub would save at most 7.4 minutes. 

One reason for this result is that many riders will have to switch trains at Jamaica.Another is that the direct route may actually be less convenient for many riders, particularly in bad weather.Many commuters would face longer walks than they do by switching to city subways from Penn Station or the Atlantic Terminal.As a result, RPA estimates that only 52% of the 16,000 LIRR riders heading to downtown would even use the direct link.

While the Brookfield plan appears to have too many drawbacks to justify its cost, estimated between $1.9 and $5 billion (and an untold cost in political capital for any top-level champion), other projects are moving forward that will benefit Long Island commuters.The MTA’s East Side Access will bring LIRR to Grand Central Terminal, offering a quicker and more convenient ride for many (MTR #274).The Second Avenue Subway, which could also receive federal rebuilding aid, will relieve overcrowding on the Lexington lines (MTR #377).

RPA has proposed an alternative plan for providing more direct service from Long Island to downtown. It would build on of the Second Avenue project.A new tunnel under the East River could connect the LIRR Atlantic Branch to a Second Avenue subway line.The subway could then be constructed starting from the south, speeding the benefit to LIRR and downtown riders.

The Civic Alliance’s decision led the Real Estate Board of New York to pull out of the organization.“Our analysis of the Brookfield proposal reveals serious issues that at least deserve further discussion, and I'm disappointed REBNY has chosen not to take part in that discussion,” Regional Plan Association president Robert Yaro told Newsday.

Downtown Concept Will Consider 2nd Ave Subway (Aug. 5, 2002)

Downtown LIRR Advocates Take Aim at Subway Tunnel (March 4, 2002)

FTA, NYC Reps on East Side Access: Good Project, Bad Financing
(June 19, 2000)

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