In lieu of the August meeting, the NYCTRC arranged a tour of some of the stations on the 2/5 lines in the upper Bronx. On the morning of August 25th a group of Council members and PCAC staff boarded a 5 train at Grand Central and headed up to E 180th Street. There, NYCT staff met us and pointed out the signal moderization program (interlocking) that was nearly finished north of the station.
We next traveled on to the Gun Hill Road Station and went to the street level. We saw the on-going construction of an intermodal facility: a new bus drop-off island on the east side of the station. This eliminates the need for those bus passengers wishing to transfer to the subway, to cross the busy White Plains Road. Construction for better access on the west side of the station is also being implemented. Transit indicated that this important improvement should be finished by the end of the year.
The final stop was the Pelham Parkway Station. We noted the quality of the improvements that had been made to stations along the line as a result of the 2000-2004 Capital Program. The fabulous faceted glass windows that grace these elevated platforms are part of the Arts for Transit program and funded by the Capital Program. A detailed guide to the art at the stations throughout the system can be found on the MTA website.
The NYCTRC did note at the Pelham Parkway Station that people were waiting on the east platform despite an active GO that required the trains to bypass the station in mid-day. After an investigation, it was found that the NYCT had failed to cordon off the stairs leading to the platform. Station personel were immediately contacted to correct the oversight. This fall the NYCTRC will be performing a survey on GO signage in selected stations to see if the proper information is getting effectively communicated to the riding public.