New York City is set to launch a new mode of transportation called the Interborough Express — a light rail line that will connect Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Jackson Heights, Queens.
The IBX will be an expansion to the current transit system in NYC, providing a much-needed alternative for traveling between Brooklyn and Queens — a trip that currently offers limited subway service.
According to the MTA, the light rail “would create a new transit option for close to 900,000 residents of the neighborhoods along the route, along with 260,000 people who work in Brooklyn and Queens.”
Plans for the Interborough Express began in 2022, when Gov. Kathy Hochul approved the start of the environmental review process, according to FOX5 NY.
In January 2023, it was determined that a light rail would be the best option for the IBX.
Since then, the MTA has begun stages of more advanced planning and has hosted public information sessions about the project.
According to the Brooklyn Eagle, “Light rail was chosen, partially because planners felt the line had to run at street level for a stretch in Queens to avoid a narrow rail tunnel under All Faiths Cemetery.”
A light rail was also selected for its ability to run along the Long Island Rail Road in parts of Brooklyn.
The MTA reports that weekday ridership is estimated at 115,000, with end-to-end travel times expected to be under 40 minutes with the new line.
This means that the IBX will save many New Yorkers time on their commutes and make the journey of going from Queens to Brooklyn far less arduous.
In addition to reduced commute times, the Interborough Express would link up to 17 subway lines and the Long Island Railroad, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.
As of now, the four major Long Island Rail Road hubs are Penn Station, Grand Central Station, Jamaica Station and Atlantic Terminal.
The light rail is especially significant for transit deserts like East New York, where residents must rely on buses or pay extra for the LIRR.
Currently, riders face long travel times to reach stations outside of their neighborhoods.
Commuters living outside Manhattan often utilize buses with unreliable service, or pay extra for the LIRR without the benefit of free transfers between systems.
The Interborough Express — a project that could potentially redefine what it means to be in a “long distance relationship” between Queens and Brooklyn — aims to improve everyday life for residents of East New York.
As Hochul said, “If you can shave 30 or 40 minutes off someone’s commute every single day, that is a gift.”
