If there’s one thing we know about the NYC subway system it’s that it can be, well, pretty unreliable. And considering the system just reached a record one billion riders in 2024, we kind of need to be able to depend on it…though 9,000 riders won’t be able to do so for four long months next year.
As the MTA rebuilds the Rockaway Line to protect service from future storms, there will be major service changes heading to the A line and Rockaway Park Shuttle in 2025. From January 17, 2025 to May 2025, the following service changes will be in effect:
- A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave. or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
- S Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run to/from Broad Channel
The Rockaway Line, which carries the A train and Rockaway Park Shuttle and serves as a vital link between the Rockaway Peninsula and the rest of NYC, underwent extensive damage following Superstorm Sandy. While emergency repairs restored service just a few months after the storm, the viaducts and bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel are in vital need of upgrades to protect the line from future storms.
And considering the line carries over 9,000 riders each day, reliable service is of the essence. A more in-depth look of planned service changes is as follows:
A train weekend service changes, January 17-20, 2025:
From Friday night to Monday morning, January 17-20, 2025, the following service changes will be in effect:
- A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave.
- Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run
- Free shuttle buses will run on three routes:
- Nonstop between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave.
- Between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave., making all A stops
- Between Howard Beach-JFK Airport, Broad Channel, and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St., making all Rockaway Park Shuttle stops
- A trains will run between Inwood-207 St and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach-JFK Airport
A train service changes starting January 20, 2025:
From January 20, 2025 until May 2025:
- A trains won’t run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave. or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
- Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won’t run to/from Broad Channel
Free shuttle buses will run on two routes:- Q97: nonstop between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave.
- Q109: between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Beach 67 St., stopping at Broad Channel and Beach 90 St.
- A trains will run between Inwood-207 St. and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach-JFK Airport
- Rockaway Park Shuttle trains will run between Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St. and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave.
As always, straphangers are urged to check planned service changes and service status or use the MTA app for more information when traveling. Riders can also receive email and text alerts regarding MTA transit service.
We guess it was accurate when MTA data showed that number subway lines run more efficiently than letter lines!