The capital plan to renovate #6 IRT stations has been postponed but New York City Transit has agreed to smarten up stations from Zerega Avenue to Pelham Bay.
Ed Romeo of the Pelham Bay Taxpayers and Community Board 10 district manager Ken Kearns met with #6 IRT line managers on Wednesday, September 23 to tour the Westchester Avenue stations.
NYC Transit is eager to cooperate with local civic groups and community boards more than it has before, Kearns said. He and Romeo pointed out graffiti, chipped paint, broken steps and other issues that are easy and inexpensive to fix. The #6 IRT managers promised to address the issues soon.
“NYC Transit has made a genuine effort here,” Kearns said. “An unprecedented effort to listen to the community board and the community.”
Romeo is thrilled.
The #6 IRT line handles more passengers than any line in the Bronx, he said.
The capital renovation, originally set for 2010 or 2011, has been postponed until 2012 or 2013.
“The #6 train runs through our residential area and our business area,” Romeo said. “It represents us.”
NYC Transit sent workers out to power wash Pelham Bay station on Friday, September 25, Romeo said.
He expects workers to address the rotted Buhre Avenue station roof.
The #6 IRT el was repainted during the summer, but not the stations. Romeo has suggested that NYC Transit repaint the underside of Pelham Bay station; the existing paint is too dark, he said.
Kearns asked NYC Transit to address “spalding” at the base of station pillars.
There are five #6 IRT stations in Community District 10: Zerega Avenue, Westchester Square, Middletown Road, Buhre Avenue and Pelham Bay, in northward bound order.
“We had a productive meeting with NYC Transit,” Kearns said. “[The managers] were very professional and understanding.”
Romeo suggested that Pelham Bay merchants advertise inside the Pelham Bay station. Kearns called the meeting a “mega step in the right direction.”
