FASTRACK, Including Elements of Subway Action Plan, Returns to the Q Line in Brooklyn

An extensive list of maintenance, cleaning and repair work will be performed on the Q line, between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and Prospect Park, as part of MTA New York City Transit’s FASTRACK program. This FASTRACK work incorporates various elements of the ongoing Subway Action Plan that is addressing the key drivers of incidents causing delays in the system including signals, track and power issues as well as water-related damage and corrosion. FASTRACK on the Brighton Q line in Brooklyn will be performed for four consecutive weeknights, from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on September 11-15 and again on September 18-22.

During this seven-hour period, an army of maintenance workers will take advantage of train-free access to the tracks to perform dozens of tasks that are vital to providing safe and reliable train service. These tasks include the repair and replacement of track, third rail, electrical and signal components, debris removal from tracks and under or around the third rail, and the repair of tunnel infrastructure. This work is aligned with the NYC Subway Action Plan to deliver improvements for riders. The Subway Action Plan focuses on a better customer experience through increased reliability and capacity, enhanced stations and safety, and clear and accurate communication. The Action Plan attacks the key drivers of 79 percent of the major incidents causing delays in the system and strategically targets additional personnel and equipment to focus on the critical components of the system that have the highest incidence of failure.

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said, “The NYC Subway Action Plan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the MTA and provides an opportunity to stabilize and improve the system while integrating its components into successful programs that are already in place like FASTRACK. 

Wynton Habersham, senior vice president for the Department of Subways, said, "FASTRACK enables workers to do more in less time because it effectively allows us to consolidate maintenance forces in a concentrated area and perform proactive maintenance."

Subway Action Plan components in this FASTRACK include:

• Expediting a signal repairs program that will focus on signals detected to be most problematic.
• Launching an emergency Water Management Initiative in which teams will seal leaks with chemical grouting, clean street grates to ensure proper water diversion and eliminate debris clogging drains.
• Cleaning the entire underground subway system to remove debris and reduce fire hazards.
•  Accelerating the repair of potential track issues across the entire underground track.
•  Increasing the frequency of station cleaning. 
• Launching a program at priority stations to deep clean, repaint and repair tile, as well as facilitating timelier elevator and escalator repairs to help improve accessibility.

During this FASTRACK, late night and overnight Q trains will not run between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and Prospect Park. Q Service will operate in two sections, between 96 St and Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr, and between Coney Island-Stillwell Av and Prospect Park. Free shuttle buses will provide alternate service, stopping at the 7 Av BQ  station. Manhattan-bound and Coney Island-bound customers can transfer for train service at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and Prospect Park, or take the D or N trains to and from Coney Island-Stillwell Av. trains will bypass DeKalb Av in both directions between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Brighton Beach-bound B service will end early each weeknight, with downtown trains terminating at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr after 10:00 p.m.

FASTRACK has been designed around the careful determination that there is adequate alternate means of transportation, including enhanced services along some bus lines during work periods. Alternative transportation options will be detailed in announcements and posters on trains, in stations and on selected buses.