Jamaica (LIRR station)

Jamaica Station (often referred to simply as "Jamaica") is a major hub of the Long Island Rail Road, in Jamaica, Queens, in New York City. It is the largest transit hub on Long Island and is one of the busiest railroad stations in the New York City area—behind Pennsylvania Station, Grand Central Terminal, and Secaucus Junction—with over 1,000 trains passing through it every day. It has a direct rail connection to John F. Kennedy International Airport via AirTrain JFK. There are also elevator connections to the Archer Avenue Line of the New York City Subway at Sutphin Boulevard-JFK Airport ( ), directly below. Numerous bus routes stop just outside.

All LIRR branches and lines except the Port Washington Branch pass through Jamaica Station. The main track westwards leads to Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan, while the Atlantic Avenue Branch diverges along Atlantic Avenue to Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. East of Jamaica, tracks diverge and are routed along one of the Main Line branches. Because of its central location and proximity to New York City LIRR terminals in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, it is common for commuters to have to "change at Jamaica", meaning switch from one train to another heading for his or her final destination. "Change at Jamaica" is common lingo among LIRR riders.

The main entrance to the station, where tickets may be purchased and where waiting areas are located, is a 100-year old building that also serves as the offices and headquarters of the Long Island Rail Road Company.

Expansion

In 2006, the MTA completed major renovations, begun in 2001, to expand and upgrade the station. The renovations make it more modern and efficient and provide easier access to all eight LIRR tracks. Additionally, the renovations provide an easier link to the New York City subway and AirTrain, and are compliant with ADA requirements. The $500 million effort was named "2006 Project of the Year" by the Long Island branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers. [1]

Two major transit expansions in active planning will, if completed, increase Jamaica's importance as a gateway to Manhattan: the East Side Access project to a new Manhattan terminal at Grand Central, and the Lower Manhattan-Jamaica/JFK Transportation Project using the Atlantic Avenue Branch and a new tunnel under the East River to a new station at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.