For all the Long Islanders who made their way west — and the other 200,000 daily passengers, of course — Jamaica Station is getting a long-overdue makeover to the tune of $50 million.
On January 14th, Governor Kathy Hochul revealed her plans for the transit hub, the fourth-busiest commuter rail station in the entire nation, which will coincide with the FY27 Executive Budget.
“New Yorkers deserve a world-class transit system,” Governor Hochul said. “By advancing projects like the Second Avenue Subway and reimagining Jamaica Station, we’re building on past investments to deliver more reliable, efficient, and modern transit options for riders today and for generations to come.”
Curious what’s in store the next time you’re beach-bound or heading home to see family? We’ll fill you in.
Jamaica Station is getting a $50 million makeover
For the first time in 23 years, since the debut of the AirTrain JFK, the station has remained untouched. Now, it’s one of the biggest undertakings within the NYC area, following a recent Grand Central Terminal facelift and forthcoming upgrades to Penn Station (which has the potential to become the largest rail overhaul in U.S. history).
Although specifics are mum at this time, the main goal is to serve the 200,000 weekly riders with a smoother, upgraded experience. Per the MTA’s press release, ” The reimagined Jamaica Station will help create better traffic flow, reduce crowding, and build out a world class station complex providing seamless connection between the LIRR Main Line, NYC Transit, and AirTrain JFK for the millions of commuters who depend on it.”
Currently, the MTA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have kickstarted a joint effort to get the project done.
Stay tuned for more information about the specifics and timeline.