A train travel alternatives: How to get around during the shutdown

Editor's note: The video above aired on Jan. 15, 2025.

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – With the partial A subway line shutdown starting on Friday, the MTA is offering free shuttle trains and buses, along with discounted LIRR fare, to straphangers.

There won’t be A train service between Howard Beach—JFK Airport and Far Rockaway—Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park—Beach 116^th Street until May 2025, according to the MTA. Rockaway Park Shuttle trains will also not run to or from Broad Channel.

For the first weekend of the closure between Jan. 17 and Jan. 20, there are different travel alternatives as the MTA begins infrastructure upgrades. There will be free shuttle buses running along these routes to and from affected stations:

• Q97 buses will run nonstop between Howard Beach—JFK Airport and Far Rockaway—Mott Avenue
• Q98 buses will run between Howard Beach—JFK Airport and Far Rockaway—Mott Avenue and stop all along the A line, including Broad Channel, Beach 90^th Street, Beach 67^th Street, Beach 60^th Street, Beach 44^th Street, Beach 36^th Street and Beach 25^th Street
• Q121 buses will run between Howard Beach—JFK Airport and Rockaway Park—Beach 116^th Street, with stops at Broad Channel, Beach 98^th Street and Beach 105^th Street

The Rockaway Park Shuttle trains won't run at all during the first weekend of construction, according to the MTA. Shuttle service returns at 5 a.m. on Jan. 20, the agency said.

Here are travel alternatives you can use on and after Jan. 20:

Free shuttle service

• Free Rockaway Park Shuttle trains are running between Far Rockaway—Mott Avenue and Rockaway Park—Beach 116^th Street
• Q97 is running nonstop between Howard Beach—JFK Airport and Far Rockaway—Mott Avenue
• Q109 runs between Howard Beach—JFK Airport and Beach 67^th Street with stops at Broad Channel and Beach 90^th Street

Regular bus service

• Q52-SBS and Q53-SBS will get you to Rockaway Boulevard (A line), Woodhaven Boulevard (J and Z lines) and Woodhaven Boulevard (M and R lines)
• Q35 will get you to Flatbush Avenue—Brooklyn College (Nos. 2 and 5 lines)
• QM15, QM16 and QM17 will take you to and from Manhattan

Train service

• The LIRR is offering a reduced rate of $2.75 to and from the Far Rockaway station (tickets for Far Rockaway can only be purchased at or near the station if you're using the TrainTime app)

Ferry service

• There is NYC Ferry service to and from Beach 108th Street and Pier 11/Wall Street

For more information on the shutdown and travel alternatives, click here.