Parkchester subway riders cite safety risks from narrow platform

The elevated platform at the Parkchester station that services the 6 train is under construction, as the MTA works to install an elevator and bring the station up to ADA standards.

Heather Fordham

Mar 6, 2025, 10:28 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Subway riders in Parkchester say construction has created a narrow platform, causing safety concerns. The elevated platform at the Parkchester station that services the 6 train is under construction, as the MTA works to install an elevator and bring the station up to ADA standards. While construction is being completed, commuters say the site has left them with limited walking room, making it difficult to navigate the platform. In some areas, people were seen walking single file alongside the track in order to get on and off the trains on Thursday afternoon. "Oh yeah it's dangerous, I almost fell the other day. It was raining, and it was slippery on the side because of construction, and I was on crutches I had to ease my way through, and I almost fell and I'm like 'this is a safety hazard,'" said L, who rides the 6 train. Commuters tell News 12 they are grateful that their station is getting much-needed improvements, but they want their safety to be considered as construction continues. "As a senior, there are no rails, nothing to hold onto, I am concerned because you never know when you can trip," said Gloria Thompson. A man was struck by a train at the Parkchester station on Feb. 20 during the evening rush hour. The NYPD has not confirmed how the man ended up on the tracks. Witnesses say they saw the man fall off the platform. "It gets hard to maneuver when there is a lot of traffic, a lot of people, sometimes you have to just sit and wait, people be bumping," said Sha, a subway rider.
The MTA says it deployed platform controllers at the start of the project that are present during the morning and evening rush to help guide commuters safely while there is construction. The agency says it also has enhanced monitoring of the situation at the station.